Your last stand in my entryway, wasn’t it Autumn?
A light year ago but only yesterday it feels,
Was the kiss premeditated or just a parting shot
Perhaps we both were backed on our emotional heels

Taken aback, woman, I was admittedly gobsmacked
Did we somehow conjure something unforeseen?
Your eyes, they revealed a long-buried story
Why in the world did we revisit such a pivotal scene?

Is that why you left without so much as a whisper
You abandoned a fragrance that haunts me still,
All I remember is the ruby glow of your taillights
As fog fell, I contemplated a sleeping pill

Well aware that rest would be no night option
It followed your vehicle as if in pursuit,
Straight, no chaser, I settled on a bourbon
A problem remained and, woman, you were its root

There you left me, why would you leave me there
Alienated like a stranger inside my own home,
Alone with the memories and that rekindled image
Our emotional landscape I began to roam

‘Don’t go there, don’t go . . .’ my mind would stammer
Exacerbated by the low roar of that autumn fire,
Each sip of the spirit another moment we shared
Missing you with a pain two degrees from dire

I know unintentional and I can discern a mistake
Is that what it was to have invited you there?
Surely we agree our motives were innocent
Is it truly a wonder to have uncovered we care?

A former life is better left to a buried past
My immature inability to offer a farewell . . .
. . . blame-worthy am I, my demons remain
But there’s a goodness within, Terri, in me you dwell

We haven’t spoken since that mid-autumn night
As well it should be . . . we’ve likely said enough,
You kissed me, and I you, then left me with silence
Life now finds me straddling this emotional rough

I’m not suggesting you reconsider your response to the touch
You’ve gone on, as have I; you appear fulfilled,
Your son and daughter guided by our Savior’s hand
My last confession is written but the envelope’s sealed

I’ve reconciled my mistakes from that time ago
and the integrity with which I treated you throughout,
The expression from your eyes that mid-autumn night
Affirmation of your love for this caring man devout

Still he am I, cultivated by hurt
The once-lingering pain now superseded by joy,
You’ve found your rhythm and safeness of heart
A family you’ve formed, such a beautiful employ

I thank you, so tenderly I thank you, Terri
For that night, it was Autumn, and what you didn’t say,
Spoke volumes of my place still nestled in your heart
I honor our memories on this Pamper-Her-Friday

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Pamper the woman . . . and forever live in her Autumn. -Rg2

© 2016 Pamper-Her-Friday by Rg2®