The Facts Of life
You woke me up early when you said goodbye.
You said you loved me, but I didn’t know why.
I was still drowsy and went back to sleep.
Now I am awake and in utter defeat.
The note you left me on the kitchen table
said you were sorry, but you were no longer able.
Able to pretend everything was all right.
You had not said why to prevent a fight.
You had met another. You know how it goes.
One thing led to another. My heart was exposed.
Before long, I knew it could only be him.
I long for another so why should I pretend.
My heart was awake now and in a real hurt.
It was broken and stomped into the dirt.
I paced around with nothing else to do.
I watched some TV, but kept thinking of you.
I counted flowers on the wall.
It did nothing for me at all.
I played catch with the dog.
I drove in circles in the fog.
I had no idea where you were.
To check at your work didn’t occur.
Days later, the idea came.
You had quit your job, no reason to claim.
FBI relocation would be easier to trace.
You had totally vanished from this place.
Therapy, antidepressants and a lot of time.
I am finally able to say the fault wasn’t mine.
It is something no one wants to go through.
I hope this never happens to you.
—————————————-R.W. Johnson—–(2018)