When I Think About What You Did … These Birds Have Flown Away, Flown Far Far Away, These Tears, White Hot, Ashley … Poem by Dennis Ryan

Monday night, Labor Day, September 2, 2024, begun at 11: 10 p.m. and finished and published early Tuesday morning, September 3, 2024 at 12: 02 a.m.; the time is now 1: 03 a.m. and counting, this poem still not appearing in the 'New Poems' listing … more than one hour after publication

—This poem is for Ashley Testerman of Garner, North Carolina and vicinity, though she may well not choose to own it …

'Tell me why you're lookin' so confused
when I'm the one who didn't know the truth?
How could you ever be so cold? To go behind
my back …? Get out, right now! … '
—JoJo, 'Leave, Get Out' (Official Music Video) You Tube Music Video

I still can't believe what you did.
I was thinking about it again tonight.
I gave you everything. You know …
You know …. I felt it—it felt like you
kicked me in the face. All of a sudden …
Distant—you, you're way too far away …
These birds have flown away—far away.

Flat out. Flat out. Not a thought for me.
Instant betrayal—bricks thrown in my face.
I gave you everything. You know … and still …
They wouldn't hurt as much as … You know …
My message—I never want to see your face
again. You're late. Distant—way too far away.
When I think—these tears, white hot, sear my
cheeks. These birds, flown away—far far away.