Conveniently Absent

CONVENIENTLY ABSENT You sit alone, neglected, In your study-room, day after day, Well of tears drains away, Spirit of life, parched for lack of sustenance, Turned off, sounds of harmony, rhythm, Place, devoid of meaning. They, once hearth and home, Drove you out into barred solitude Under the same roof On separate, adjacent lines. No longer loved as yourself, Become a living scandal To strangers in your midst, Today conveniently absent, At work or school or church. Now prepared with care, the means of exit, Nothing left to chance or change of mind, Letter lies open, clear - out on the desk, They may read its explanation, Take note or pretend it never appeared at their home. You rise from your seat, irksomely comfortable, With steel-eyed resolve possessed, All done as planned, gathering journey’s materials, Leave space to descend dim-lit stairs Into a sudden, self-created vacuum. Graceful you are as a flight of angels, Moving through to the empty garage. Armed stool waits patiently for you From the midst of an unseen circle of fire, To step into the hollow breach and fall.