Leaving An Old Love Poem by RIC BASTASA

that last night
together our fingers entwine

i keep your love inside my hands
like i am grappling to hold on to some stone

it is inside my heart
when i leave bound for home
at twilight

you go
you keep yourself
to your freedom

you go alone
where your heart takes you

that last embrace
i leave all that is valuable to myself
on your shoulder

i leave some tears on
the white blankets
as souvenirs

i will be back in the house
where i am alone again

inside the car
i am weeping because i know that this time
you mean it