The Leaving

You are one who has known darkness and pain.
You have felt the heavy burdens of grief -
grief caused by others seeking selfish gain.
You have stepped out with pride but stepped back – cried,
your tears falling unnoticed in the rain.

You are one who has understood sadness.
You’ve seen Stars’ poignant laughter mocking you –
you, who has nothing to be ashamed of,
yet bearing shame and loathing all the same.
Shy tears you still cry in nights of falling rain.

You have stood still and listened to the night.
Your prescient thoughts have stopped the sound of feet –
feet that have borne the rife and strife of life.
You’ve opened your eyes and seen the lies there
and cared not for what was, but what will be.

I too am acquainted with the night.
I too drop my eyes unwilling to see
the residue of sadness that is me.
I cry my tears in darkness of the stars
that illuminate their pathways with light.

We met – just strangers in a darkened sky.
We’ll part – my sadness residing once more,
but not for you – that luminary clock
will shine your radiance in her laughter,
and the world will be a brighter place.