Burnt Papers

I sit in front of the fireplace,
in a house empty and cold;
I throw in another waded up piece of paper
from a box all tattered and old.

The flames consume the paper,
like the hundred pieces it did before,
from love letters that she wrote me,
before my heart, in half, she tore.

I sit in front of the fireplace;
one last piece of paper in my hand -
it is the marriage certificate
that goes along with my golden band.

I sit in front of the fireplace;
the box, now empty, like the house;
the papers now are burnt and gone –
no more evidence I had a spouse.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2012

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Gorelick Avatar
March 4, 2012 at 7:39 PM
Wow, i can see why you got a big 1st. Congrats. BG
Bunton Avatar
March 4, 2012 at 1:51 PM
Congratulations!
Song Avatar
March 3, 2012 at 11:11 AM
I had to come back and read this one again..I also wanted to see what other readers tho't. The standing ovation continues...if u ever write a book, this should be your featured poem and/or title. G.
Tams The Golden Girl Avatar
March 3, 2012 at 5:45 AM
Congratulations Joe a powerful picture you have oainted with your words xx
Johnson Avatar
March 2, 2012 at 8:52 PM
Very sad Joe. I hope it is not your life. Congratulations on your win. Love, Joyce
Ronthorpe Avatar
March 2, 2012 at 4:45 PM
Joe, wonderful work. The flow is incredible. I really enjoyed this. Congrats on winning Susan's contest.....................S.Ronthorpe
Susan Avatar
March 2, 2012 at 2:01 PM
Congratulations on your win and thanks for supporting my contest! powerful ending :)
Song Avatar
March 2, 2012 at 1:11 PM
Howdy Mr. Flach! This is an epic example of your fine writing talent! It depicts as deep emotional moment in time and flows like silk! The title was carefully chosen and doesn't give the poem away too much! Truthfully, I can' t chose one stanza that I prefer over another! The whole poem is phenom! A standing ovation to a wonderful poem and poet!! Gwendolen
Brown Avatar
March 2, 2012 at 10:52 AM
Congratulations on your win in Susan's "Paper Or Plastic" contest Joe. Love, Carol
Dailey Avatar
March 2, 2012 at 8:46 AM
Congratulations. Good thing you chose paper, if you had burned that much plastic the fumes would have over powered you and the ending would have been even sadder. Mike
Richards Avatar
March 2, 2012 at 8:34 AM
A heart-breaker, the pain reads between each line of this poem. You give the reader a feeling of breaking of the heart. Well done, Joe.
Bauer Avatar
March 2, 2012 at 7:34 AM
great poem! you've told a sad story in a wonderfully rhyming way. congrats on your win!
Macfarlane Avatar
February 21, 2012 at 11:30 AM
You can feel the anguish in this one....great job!
Cooper Avatar
February 21, 2012 at 6:50 AM
excellent pen joe!
Kearley Avatar
February 20, 2012 at 8:14 PM
Oh!...A cold fire ya got burning there.Nice write.
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace