Lemurian City of Ladies

All day: all day I waited and you did not come;

You had promised so faithfully, again and again,

But did not come.

I had begged you, pleaded, please call round,

And you had looked into my eyes

So earnestly and promised, leaned forward,

Briefly touched  my shoulder;

It meant nothing; you did not come.

I sat with the phone right next to me

And willed it, willed it to ring

With news, a message, anything;

Heard the clock tick down the minutes,

Hours; saw the sun set,

All pink and grey, waited so patiently,

Even made excuses for your staying away;

Saw the lengthening shadows as twilight

Turned to night, and accepted bleak reality,

Too late now, too late – you would not show,

Had to give it up – face it full on,

Promises you made were meaningless;

Yearned to hear your footstep, a knock,

A greeting at the door, all rushed

Sincerity, “Oh, I’m sorry that….”

I should have known: as if you would

Have ever made the time

To leave your life   

So much as for a second -

And visit mine.