Once, I thought we shared the house

Shared togetherness

Shared the longing

To escape from loneliness

But, the our of sharing

Knows no selfishness

The our of sharing

Believes in happiness

When did it change?

Suddenly, 'mine' crept into your words

In your eyes

Only possessions

Did you think to own me, too?

My devotion cooled

In the dark, cold space

Of chains forged

Invisible chains to force me

Into your ways molded

This, I could have borne

As I waited for you to open eyes closed

But, children cannot mourn

For childhood lost!

Not my children....

I left the house

The bright home in all outward

Appearance happy

Yet, it is the inward

Happiness lost

Love makes a home

Builders make houses

Boxes filled with some

Broken dreams and fancy clutter

Boxes with a dust of tears

Sealed with trembling hand

Carried from the house of years

Reminders of memories

Reminders of could-have-been

Pieces of sacrifice

Heart's pieces unseen

The house, a cold unknowing thing

That could've been paradise

It stands yet despite my grief

Keeper of memories to make me more wise

Wisdom I could leave behind

Painful wisdom bought

With harsh words and

Love's cruel death.