I came to hide
all these miles
away from you
on a white sandy beach.

The endless hours
of the work day
going on and on.
I lay hidden
in the struggle
of getting ahead.

I left the teapot on,
ignoring the whistling
sound of the steam.
It filled the air
crying out for attention.

Enslaved with the idea
of a better life,
I was surprised
to discover
promises I made
being kept by another.

Rage scratched
the granite surface
sending shards
like diamonds
everywhere.

On the couch
I lay
hands clenching
my ears
weeping
for the sound
of the steam
that no longer whistled;
the years left behind
haunting me.

Outside
a brutal avalanche
buried the light
of my aching soul.
I’m empty inside
a skyline
without a star
reduced
to the sound
of being alone.

I’m standing naked
in a whipping wind
yearning
to breathe my life
back into you.

My whole life
and all the dreams
I had for us
are hiding
under a pink umbrella
floating
in my drink
on a white sandy beach.