she disappeared

vanished

as if erased from the face of the earth

the globe feeling off balance at her absence

my heart tilted to the side and all of the softer parts poured into the cavity where my guts had shrivelled and ceased to work

i had not expected this disappearing act

a trick houdini would have consulted the spirits over

he and ac doyle sitting together with a rare medium done well and begging for a simple hint at the other side she had surely entered

then

in a showmanship unrivaled

she was back

and the fool fell right back into place as well

the misery and ache distant lullabies

slept and forgotten

and the only thing left was that longing

for closure

no

for rekindling of fires long thought dormant

who knows

maybe an extra set of chains

nine or ten more padlocks

search for hidden keys

and toss her into the tumultuous waters of affection

let her try and escape this safe in unsafe depths

at least until i learn the trick

can perform it with both hearts tied behind my back

a bullseye on the empty chest where x marks the start

firing blanks to signal the crowd to stand at rapt attention

fool me once

shame on me

fool me twice

i’ll still be waiting

patiently

until the sun sets and the crowds disperse

watching for ripples

hoping for you