Count

I used to count the years, the months
The days, the hours
The minutes, even the seconds
Since the last time we spoke

I remember the moment I looked
Into your green eyes,
Pupils expanding,
The light shining down on you,
Below your eyelashes—the prettiest glare
Those eye contacts off-centered...
Plastics never quite fit you, 
Just as I never did. .

Hope has a funny way of fleeing
Even when time ticks mercilessly on
And truth is never beautiful
When the mouth runs dry
And the eyes go blind

I used to count the years, the months,
The days, the hours,
The minutes, even the seconds….

You said,
“You actually understand me. . .”
And your intense amusement watered your eyes
It wasn’t until I started counting that
You stopped seeing me for who I was
You stopped understanding. . .
You never quite understood.

My grave mistake was waiting
For every last second 
To matter 
Was hoping, 
That every moment without you
Would count forever
But no one counts the tears
No one counts the beats of a broken heart
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

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Hicks Avatar
September 3, 2016 at 9:06 PM
What a subtle yet clever twist on that old cliche. And like Anthony says below me, you're not one to pull punches when tugging on those heart strings. It cuts to the core. Sadly beautiful, Laura.
Whatley Avatar
August 19, 2016 at 5:20 PM
This is the first time I've visited PoetrySoup in a while and I feel like I was destined to read this lovely piece with my own watery green eyes. Thank you Laura for this profoundly expressive write.
Bordner Avatar
August 19, 2016 at 2:25 AM
We cannot count a love that is immeasurable...sometimes a heart breaks to be rebuilt through a calculus too new to be known Poetess...J.A.B.
Hamilton Avatar
August 16, 2016 at 9:07 AM
So so sad Laura, emotions evoked on a deep level with this write, just amazing. Thank you for posting this gem.
Smith Avatar
August 16, 2016 at 8:14 AM
Fantastic write of love gone wrong...you are right nobody counts the tears.
Gupta Avatar
August 16, 2016 at 6:14 AM
Very tender ... evokes inward response in a moist silence ...
Mark Avatar
August 16, 2016 at 5:32 AM
Very Laura-esque, and another " tour de force" write, ...you certainly know how to grab the balls and yank....love your writing when it's in this place, ..it's mean,nasty, and TRUE!!....many will only polish the veneer you lay beneath,..well done Laura...
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