The Pain Lasts So long
The sun was bright. It was time to rise.
Something grimy was in my eyes.
I staggered to the bathroom & washed my face.
I started looking all around the place.
What a mess. I’ve been depressed.
Feeling to poor to clean it up, I guess.
I brushed my teeth and combed my hair.
I put on clean clothes. But, still didn’t care.
The pain lasts so long, since you’ve been gone.
Along the way, I’ve lost my song.
Nothing seems to have any meaning.
I just drift along without any feeling.
I made some breakfast, but didn’t sit down.
I just wasn’t hungry, without you around.
I got my coat and headed for the door.
I had nowhere to go that wasn’t a bore.
I walked along and turned into a park.
Last time I was there was after dark.
Couples were walking and holding hands.
Chatting together and making plans.
The pain lasts so long, since you’ve been gone.
Along the way, I’ve lost my song.
Nothing seems to have any meaning.
I just drift along without any feeling.
It all reminded me of better times.
I leave the park and try to unwind.
Up ahead I see a movie marquee.
I go in to see what there is to see.
It was a romance. A happy ending .
It left me tearful, uncomprehending.
It did not end up happy for me.
I was as depressed as I could be.
The pain lasts so long, since you’ve been gone.
Along the way, I’ve lost my song.
Nothing seems to have any meaning.
I just drift along without any feeling.
Up the street, I bumped into some friends.
How was I doing?——- So it begins.
They knew I was no longer with you.
They were just trying to be supportive too.
But, it only made me feel worse.
I couldn’t tell them that. What a curse.
Finally, they let me go on my way.
They all wished me a better day.
The pain lasts so long, since you’ve been gone.
Along the way, I’ve lost my song.
Nothing seems to have any meaning.
I just drift along without any feeling.
Back home again, I feel half dead.
Instead of watching TV, I crawl into bed.
I say a prayer, especially for you.
I just don’t know what else to do.
I get up and brush my teeth.
I kind of stagger. feeling a little weak.
I hop back in bed and turn out the light.
Again, tomorrow, I’ll take up the fight.
The pain lasts so long, since you’ve been gone.
Along the way, I’ve lost my song.
Nothing seems to have any meaning.
I just drift along without any feeling.
—————————————-R. W. Johnson—–(2015)