Every Time You Leave Me.... Poem by RIC BASTASA

when you walk away
i inhale so much air
and feel the comfort of
the little space
that you have built
in the house

i mark all vacancies
and begin to paint the boundaries
from where you stand
the steps that slowly take their
exit from
the garden of
daffodils

how i wish to tell you
that i like this situation
when i am left and you are gone away
when i can think much
without so many distractions

your words on the wall
your thoughts hanging on the
china cabinet
your finger prints on every
empty cup

i think i could have been
free a long ago
without the benefit of
trials

on the breakfast table
i sit alone
and distinct from other mornings
with you
i turn off the TV
not wanting to hear any news