Love Poem: Past Our Prime
Duncan Mitchell Avatar
Written by: Duncan Mitchell

Past Our Prime

I liked it back when we were thought a pair
And held in high esteem by lovers all
Who envied what it was we seemed to share
when we were also fooled within that thrall

As actors lose themselves in parts that call
for reinvention on a stage set bare
We played our roles as partners till our fall
I liked it back when we were thought a pair

How long then were we blindly unaware?
Imprisoned to ourselves behind a wall
Over which the outside world would stare
And held in high esteem by lovers all

Did they not sense our soaring passion stall?
Did we pretend because we didn't dare
Betray our lie to those who held us tall
Who envied what it was we seemed to share

Rituals and habits were our snare
We once long-striding lovers forced to crawl
till only rote and duty lingered there
When we were also fooled within that thrall

Their crushing expectations left us small
You took all else I was, to my despair
what little hope I had is in your haul
If others need that from us, I don't care
I'd like it back