When His Heart BrokeBy Jillian Danley
The seats pack--fill--with lovers, trilling, waiting
For the show.
"It will be delightful!" They purr, slinking
About in their coats made of fur.
The lights lower--and suddenly a shower or applause and
There are two figures standing hand-in-hand on the stage,
Bathed in white lime.
He begins--a reverberating bass--he is enamored.
She follows--a trembling tenor--accepting his song.
They join in verbal symphony; their love--it soars
Above the rafters and over the plastic lovers--beyond--
Into the blue air scented with copper--the pumping of blood.
There is a lull--she falters--her voice fades and
Alters, and is no longer passionate--or alive.
His voice sings on stronger, his notes florid and forlorn,
But it's breaking and waning like a moon made of glass.
The white lime is fading, her shadow recedes.
And the plastic audience coo--wipe fake tears.
So he sings on alone--voice cold, hard--stone,
And he promises himself he'll never
Sing again.
© Jillian Danley |