Love Poem: Vines
Peter Burrows Avatar
Written by: Peter Burrows

Vines

I haven’t sat here for quite some time.
Our back patio, beneath the brown umbrella, in a chair that glides.
Someone else is with her now, 
So I am here.
In this special space.

Remembering times together and with friends.
Loud laughter broken with many careless words. 
Bravado to spare.

Burgers on the barbeque, 
Some slow sipping wine, others chugging hard lemonade.
Too many ‘if it should ever happen to me.’
All healthy then, so such words were cheap.

But now 
Green-leafed vines grow through and around
Our barbeque - not used in a year, or perhaps it’s two.
When I decide to take it back
Those damn vines won’t give up easy.
Oh, I could do it if I wanted.
But won’t. 
Least not today or tomorrow.

Now black-leafed vines have taken hold, 
Wrapping tight within our lives.

Oh, they’ll never let us go. 
I know that now.

But still, I hold on, 
Trying to kiss all better.

While black-leafed vines grow 
Deep inside her
And shred my soul.