Separation

The canyon walls are close,
so close I fear I may fall back into the chasm
where nothing that is good and true happens.

As I climb the narrow, winding trail,
I catch glimpses of the chasm floor
where hopes, dreams and promises are strewn about,
disintegrating into the dirt.

It seems that only moments  ago we were feasting on
those same hopes, dreams and promises,
Joyfully affirming our love and dedication to all who would listen
in front of and behind closed doors.

But as I climb out of the canyon, to the bright
moonlit night, as I leave them behind
I glimpse her picking up the hopes dreams and promises
And wrapping her new lover in them in passionate embrace
and I begin to wonder how many times...

But I catch myself, refusing to be dragged back
to questions with no answers.

I have been down there too long, wallowing in the mud of betrayal,
the filth of subterfuge.

And I turn again, facing forward, following
my horse's lead.  And the canyon wall is now farther away,
The thicket that has blocked the path forward has given way to
a clear path on this beautiful moonlit night.

And I take solace in the knowledge that I have been true to my word,
and that my hopes, dreams and promises to come will be clear of
the dirt below.

And I can, and will offer them freely,
When the time comes.