Just So. Poem by Terry Collett

Just so
it doesn't last
the whole circus
of a long ago
love affair
haunting the brain.

The avenues
of dark rooms
kept locked,
the echo of voices
no longer listened to,
the shadows
of lost lovers
walking the passageways
of the mind
like one who's blind.

Just so it leaves
an ounce of peace,
and the twilight hour
shines its own light
and not the light
of their haunting eyes
as once they did.

Just so the footsteps
in the hall aren't theres',
or that touch
on the shoulder
return again and again
as I grow older.

The rooms
of love making
the bed squeaking
and rattlings springs,
and the voice sounding
of pleasured flesh
and lips on lips kissing
and afterwards knowing
something was missing.

Just so you know,
just so the silence returns
and the memories
like paper
in the fire grate
burns.