End of an Era

 Heal, heal, heal, she said, he said.

It’s the way your lips brush my forehead, I said.

Forget, forget, forget, she said, he said.
It’s the way my body remembers your chest when you hold me close, I said.

Love, love, love, she said, he said.
It’s the depth of your eyes where I drowned and found myself, I said.

Stand, stand, stand, she said, he said.
It’s the strength of your arms that carried my breaking pieces, I said.

Live, live, live, she said, he said.
It’s the way you lit a fire in the ashes of me, I said.

Sleep, sleep, sleep, she said, he said.
It’s the quiet that silenced my storms and stabbed my nightmares, I said.

End, end, end of an era, she said, he said.
It’s the tender brutality of these last few years, I said.

An equal madness that took me across seas, over mountains, through beaches, snow, and unrelenting sun.

With you. Without you. Now and always.
You will always find a home in me.

Hello, Eve.
At last, you gathered your courage.
Yes love, Now—speak your many goodbyes.