Jilted (Poetry)

She’d waited for their eyes to meet
across a crowded room
she’d waited for the ring he’d saved to buy
she’d waited at the altar
on the longest day in June —
still patient while she’d watched the daylight die.

She’d waited, but he never showed —
no sign, no single word
releasing her — and so she’d lingered there
waiting as the crowd dispersed
their platitudes unheard
the wilted garland slipping from her hair.

She’d waited for a message —
something to explain
why he’d left her clueless as a fool —
some reason to forgive him
for causing her such pain
so she’d not judge him cowardly and cruel.

Nothing but thin silence
where a hand had stopped the clock
bewildering as any waking dream —
her house of cards was toppled
left her crazy from the shock —
she’s waiting still — reliving that last scene.