He wasn’t always this way

Trudging back and forth
to the local plaza
for groceries cigarettes and wine
like a small town veteran
after 23 years
all the clerks and cashiers
neighbours know him by his first name
there’s always a friendly hello
small talk
but none of them can see
the painful void in his heart
nor would he ever let them

How not that long ago
he was part of a large circle
of family and friends
most of whom seem
have abandoned him
to death and scattering
across the continents
changes of mind
though realizing
he too has probably changed

As in A Tale of Two Cities
it was the best of times
the worst of times
debt free / financially secure
retirement only months away
while he reminds himself
he’s been down this road
but never quite the same way before
this far out into the valley of darkness
surrounded by strangers
in a world gone mad

He embraces the solitude
as if he were the last man on Earth
silence a welcome companion
who takes no advantage
pound of flesh
and though there’s something
definitely missing
asks himself if real friendship
and even love
are worth the effort of
another spin on the merry-go-round

Only to be tossed off again?

© 2013

1,040 hits as of April 2024

05/01/2013

Author's Note: A little spiritual detoxification.

Posted on 05/02/2013
Copyright © 2024 Chris Sorrenti