Home » Poems » Joe Flach » For the Want of Two Small Words

For the Want of Two Small Words

I rolled over in bed last night
Nothing stopped me on my way
When I grabbed the other pillow
No other head made it stay
I tugged at the sheets
And they easily came loose
I hoped it was a dream
But I knew it was the truth

I took a nice long, hot shower
No need to conserve the hot water
I knew no one would complain
If I used the talcum powder that I bought her
There was no fighting 
For a position in front of the mirror
I didn’t wipe the steam away
I didn’t want to see any clearer

Empty hangers hung in the closet
The shoe tree had shed its leaves
No one was there to guilt me into
Ironing the wrinkles out of my sleeves
I missed the disgusting smell of coffee
While sipping my orange juice
There was no one there to straighten up my tie
So it just hung around my neck loose

There was no haggling over the paper
That I didn’t feel much like reading
All for the want of two small words
I didn’t use to stop the bleeding
You waited a long time for me to say them
They just wouldn’t work their way out
Now only echoes return the words to me
When, “I’m sorry”, I finally shout

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.