In truth, the loneliness landed long before you left
a human shield came into play, blurring the true picture
though the eyes told the story, had anyone cared to look
Claws ravaged a strong heart, tearing savagely
to leave raw uneven edges, your stanzas and flow missed
instinct nodding to trusting one’s gut
The fear of what was to come proved to be a little more
powerful than the thing itself, because in the end
one always goes with what is, waving bravely goodbye
Pushing back the weight of the lonely planet and trudges
wearily through pictures and memories of the uniform
torn from your body in many a passionate onslaught
Landing where garments fell at will, on stair, behind door
on floor, pillow, cold window ledge
these remain forever in the mind’s eye
Last embraces way too long, snatched all at once
neat whiskey breath, half smoked cigarettes
coupled with that one, last, fling
Left you later than allowed – with questions to answer
your punishment handed out, your passion tainted, cooled
you ought always to have returned sooner than you ever did
Soldier
More often a gargle drew you in, a woman turned your head
your love of words disassembling the ordered thinking
the ingrained structure of the regimented army life
You thought little about this, when home on leave
cared, even, less
one never foresaw your lifelong absence nor the vacuous void
Left behind
Though whispers of your presence are heard from time to time
and that window ledge has many a story to tell, if anyone, cared,
to listen.
Kate O’Shea
