The Park Bench

Yes when we met that fateful day

I did not know love passed away

I should have guessed, you did not smile

But then reserve was just your style

The rest seems but a blur to me

Though in your eyes I still did see

The ashes of a love gone cold

As heavy flowers I did hold

I’m sure you spoke of how and why

But explanations drifted by

I felt the sadness crush my throat

I saw the richness of your coat

My eyes did sting but no tears fell

I heard a distant church bell’s knell

And as you stood and turned to go

I think I said, ‘you’re right, I know’

Then as you briskly walked away

I struggled with wise words to say

But mumbled sounds no sadness quenched

I laid the flowers on the bench…

Loubert S Suddaby poems