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Break-Up

The light in my life has slowly sputtered out
What began as a flinty spark of infatuation,
Flounders in ever-growing feelings of doubt.
First I thought about nothing but the sensations
The warming qualities of your tender embrace,
But now I find myself dreading seeing your face.

Whatever happened from then until now, I fear,
Is the sudden dying of passion born in my lust
Along with the feeling of companionship, dear,
So, with deep regret, I leave you, I simply must.
You see, I have become a hollowed shell inside,
Devoid of those special feelings we once knew
No more longing to make you my life-long bride,
No desire to walk through life with you by my side. 

Written July 1, 2022

Copyright © L Milton Hankins | Year Posted 2022

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Unseeking Seeker Date: 7/4/2022 8:33:00 AM Why dread meeting her? Embrace and release, flowing like the breeze! Just kidding. Enjoyed your beautiful poem, Milt! Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 7/4/2022 10:19:00 AM (chuckling) There's more to the story, as Paul Harvey liked to say, but that's for another time, U.S. Thank you so much for your thoughts.

Caren Krutsinger Date: 7/3/2022 1:52:00 AM This rings of truth. You had to dig way down into your past to remind yourself of these feelings, but you brought them up and constructed a marvelous poem Hank. Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 7/3/2022 9:05:00 AM It was such a long, long time ago. I have often wondered what became of her. She'd be a very old lady by now.

Tom Cunningham Date: 7/1/2022 10:48:00 PM When the raging inferno becomes a flickering flame it's the right thing to do to just walk away, it's just prolonging the misery by hanging around. Tom Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 7/2/2022 9:13:00 AM You are so right about this, Tom. I couldn't agree more. Good to hear from you again.

Jeff Kyser Date: 7/1/2022 7:30:00 PM Very Interesting, Milt. I’m guessing this is either a memory you pulled up from a very very long time ago, or you were able to put yourself in that space. I have a hard time writing about emotions I’ve not experienced much or in a long long time..well done Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 7/1/2022 7:45:00 PM Hmmm...I suppose the roots of this poem lie in a Dear Joan letter I wrote approximately sixty years ago! I conjure up such things when I need them for a poem, I think.

Robert Gorelick Date: 7/1/2022 6:57:00 PM I just finished reading an F. Scott Fitsgerald short story which ends with these words; Long ago there was something in me. I cannot cry. I cannot care. The thing will not return. Robert Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 7/1/2022 7:29:00 PM Ah, no one could express this more splendidly or plaintively than F. Scott Fitzgerald. Thanks, Robert.

Michael Tor Date: 7/1/2022 6:57:00 PM Heartfelt piece. It is a common experience based on the divorce rate. You did not sugarcoat this Milton it is raw and true, and sometimes the truth hurts. I admire your courage to write this truth... Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 7/1/2022 7:30:00 PM Thank you so much, Michael. I appreciate greatly your affirmative and thoughtful comment.