Departure

He tossed the crumpled goodbye
carelessly in her lap
and just as the sun dives into the ocean
for the evening dip
he jauntily walked out of her life
crashing the front door loudly
crushing her tender dreams
on the rough, gravel path

looking out of her backdoor
all she could see was sweltering darkness
not a speck of light to guide her
with satin smooth lily hands
she nervously removed the creases
and folded the goodbye neatly
to tuck it between
the synapses of life before and after his arrival
the ache that refused to die
held her spine rigid
the tears that pooled at the corner of her eyes
congealed into clear film over her skin
the frozen half smile coming unstuck
encased her grief forever.