ascension of Babel

 
the wind curls around the house
in full-bodied howl
making the porch rails hum
and I'm reminded of you
...of us...
how laughter used to rattle our lives
turning the most mundane into moments of hilarity
entertained by things no one else knew
...or could see
because giggles covered the screaming of our personal demons
creating a temporary sanctuary
and like a ghost who won't move on
your memory still haunts
words still echoing in my head I thought I'd already said...
...but perhaps they bear repeating...
there are things I'd not have survived...
...without your love & compassion
...your understanding
I made the mistake of believing you ever really knew me...
...so foolish...
...when I didn't yet even know myself
maybe a proper introduction is in order...
...or it might be too late for that
either way...
together we were unshakable...
...unbreakable...
tiny giants with fists of fire
...as like recognized like...
shared pain forging chains of incredible bonding
those links now torn apart
but marks of the tie still remain
...long after the bond has gone
beautifully preserved in my reminiscence
all now remaining of warmer days
the only thing left of you & me
...are memories...
before the party ended & babel ascended...
leaving me abandoned at the bottom
no longer able to live in the same reality
and you may never comprehend my truth
but I allow nobody but me...
...to shoulder my weight
it's my responsibility
which sometimes means closing doors...
to places no longer meant for me

life has become divided
...into who we were
...how we grew
...and who we became
when language paths diverged & I could no longer follow

I've erected a monument in my mind
...to those golden times
making it less painful to focus on tomorrow
well, my runaway friend...
...we never made it to the end
life interrupted our travels
but I've made a bed in the corner
so you can rest there when you visit
on nights like these...
...when the wind speaks
and cold air stirs my aching bones
no matter where you roam...
...your spirit always has a home
here...
...at the hearth of my heart