Two Syllables of Affliction

Last words escaped my lips

without thought of endings.

They hung upon bitter clothes pins,

blowing against us, dividing us.

Pain had me speaking without edit.

I wished to wound you thinking it would heal me.

I thought my goodbye was merely temporary

and I ran from you, the sulfur of my tongue.

Goodbye, two syllables of affliction,

has haunted me with its finality.

 I didn’t know that day

would be a grave where I buried love.

It had died before those words

escaped my lips.

My spirit knew, but my heart

was never one to listen beyond a dream.

Last words, brittle grief

crushed into my memory.

©Susie Clevenger 2012

 Written from the digital art prompt titled "Last Words"

provided by Vanessa Matthews at Ordinary Life...Less Ordinary