To Illustrate (Poetry)

We should have grown old together
that man and me
been part of each other’s
ongoing history
instead we parted
went our own ways
the chapter barely started
our story stays
unresolved somehow
and without conclusion
the loss growns ever-keener now
while disillusion
throws scraps of passionate dreams
the past is burning
thus the dreary morning seems
consumed with yearning
for all that’s gone
his darling face no older
though the years roll on
and winds blow shrill and colder ...

Regret still bubbles up — belated
of little use perhaps        except
to illustrate what can’t be separated
the ache within me so-long kept