Rachel McMillen
The world crashes down
upon me like a wave
from which I cannot escape.
I try to swim back to the surface
but I can't reach.
The harder I try,
the more waves that crash upon me.
When I think I am
finally lost forever
in this sea of despair,
I see the glimmer of the sun
off the edge of the wave above.
I see the beautiful blue sky,
I swim toward it with
more vigor and strength now.
Because in that sky
I find you, calling me
to join you above
this melancholic ocean.
I know you are there,
you never deserted me.
Now I'm above the waves,
gliding into the beach
of tranquility
where you wait for me,
to welcome me back
to this wonderful world.
You say something.
Do I take it at face value
or is there a hidden meaning?
confusion.
Explain.
Tell me what you really mean,
how you really feel.
I'm curious.
I want to comprehend
you cryptic sentences. So,
Explain.
Tell me the truth now,
not later, now.
NO more excuses.
no more time.
no more subtle words
that can be taken a thousand
different ways.
Explain.
The truth is always
something I want to hear.
So, tell it to me.
The napkin he crumpled
has now fallen on the floor
beneath his feet,
where he steps on it
from time to time
not even noticing.
But I notice,
I notice and I sympathize,
because that is how
he treats me.
Like I'm expendable,
nothing.
I'm tired of this
manipulation.
So, I lean down
and pick up
the battered and torn
napkin, and gently
place it in the trash,
as if that's where
I was placing
our relationship.
And instead of going
back to the table,
I keep walking,
and never look back.