Under The Tree Poem by Khumo Mhlanga

Christmas -
My release came...
Overwhelming peace at the prospect of a closed door.
A prayer whispered in silence,
The plea of my heart.

Your experiment complete,
You once again made a sub-standard attempt at my heart.
8 New Year's Eves ago, these scraps would have sufficed -
But not anymore.

Tonight, I sit at the banquet -
An honoured guest
I know that my prince is come...
YOU failed the test
Self-disqualification

In that hour, the admission was made
Truth in the lack of your love.
The idea of you...enticing
But all the devil's lures are such

You're gone now.
I wave at your chapter as it moves to queue up in my past
Washed over with relief...
God does answer prayers