And So, Lizzie
“Don’t, say you love me,
this is just a passing fling.
No use pretending
we are in some fairytale,
we’re not, and never will be.”
We had days of fun.
Nights of lusty romping, all
overshadowed by
a former lover rooted
firmly in my memory.
Liz wanted to ask
if my, “Darling, I love you,”
sighs were meant for her
or maybe the other one.
There was nothing I could say.
I had no answers
for her insecurity,
no reassurance
no unguent, no platitude,
nothing but guilty silence.
Long winter evenings
we gazed at embers glowing
in my Queenie stove.
Eating buttered toast. Drinking
Liz’s recipe mulled wine.
Each fond gesture met
a half-hearted, “Thanks, Darl.”
We clinked glasses and
Played our game of ‘love-believe’.
Liz and I were both victims,
Clinging together.
Lost souls. Second-best, at best.
Damaged goods. Flotsam.
Debris washed overboard from
ships colliding in the night.
She was heart broken
when I said, “It’s done. No more.”
I gaze at embers
alone, sighing, wondering.
Wondering and wondering.
A sad tale indeed but the heart is fickle and love cannot be made to order. Great write.
Thanks, I rarely write anything about actual events and people in my life – but that is an exception.
Very sad such a difficult relationship for you both to accept, but there was shared companionship and love, of a sort, between you and that was a good thing for as long as it was destined to last. Sue.
Thanks, Sue – ‘Lizzie’ got what she wanted, a rich bloke and children. I could not give her either. She is happy now – me? I sit and wonder 🙂
I like ‘love-believe’. Clever.
Thanks, RLW – ‘love-believe’ was a very late change – about one day before the revision went to the printer – it’s thanks to putting work up here and viewing it through others’ critical eyes that prompted that and many other changes throughout the book – in the privacy of my docs files a work might seem okay but put it into public view and everything changes – i’m glad you like the phrase – thanks again. Rick.
All been there (well, at least I have) – life, as it always is – resonates with me, anyway.
My consolations and conscience savers ? I did tell her I loved another AND she did get together with her Mr Right. 🙂
Yeah, well, that’s life, innit Herm? We’ve all done stuff like that (sometimes with no consolations).
Oh yes – few of us are lilywhite 🙂
Personally, I’m coal-black, Cool, bit couldn’t care less 🙂
I like to be but around 2 am on insomniac nights… 🙂
…Indulge in a Temazepam…
I’m continuing to admire the ‘new’ coolhermit style. 🙂
JohnG
Some mates have said my ‘style’ has changed – I’ve not noticed but hey ho and thanks a lot , John 🙂