I smiled but she never smiled with me.
I laughed but only saw her tear.
I spoke but she never heard what I was saying.
I felt pain from the crushing sense of fear.

She asked if I was leaving?
I replied—what else could I do?
She said she never meant to do it.
I replied—Is there anything you’ve said that was true?

We made peace and joined together.
We were one for a year or more.
But the barrier grew stronger and wider.
Until at last neither of us was sure.

Death saw a permanent separation.
Leaving my conscience to wonder why.
Did life ever hold an answer,
Or was love always destined to die?

© 2018, Daniel Kemp All rights reserved