And when the door finally closes

 

And when the door finally closes

And the sound of your footsteps fade

Along with the harsh words you

Toss in my face as you turn to leave,

I’ll breathe, and forgive myself for not

Walking through the door long before.

And when the door finally closes,

I won’t say goodbye.  I’ll remember

The times I hurried to open it to find

You, offering flowers and regret, and

I  reached out to draw you back in,

Thinking he didn’t mean it.

And when the door finally closes

And the sound of your footsteps fade,

I won’t search the empty walkway for you.

I’ll close my ears to the memory sounds of
Stomping and strutting and swearing,

Anger speaking sharply in every heel click.

And when the door finally closes

And the sound of your footsteps fade

Along with the harsh words you

Toss in my face as you turn to leave,

I’ll listen instead for the whimpered words

Of our son as he cried in his sleep.

And when the door finally closes

And the sound of your footsteps fade

Along with the harsh words you

Toss in my face as you turn to leave, I'll forget

The blows you tossed in my face when you stayed

And open the door to myself, finally.

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This was written for One Shot Poetry.