The Return Poem by Susan Lacovara

She comes back, comes home
To the Once Before He Went Away
And falls into the lonely doorway
To a house, now, unfamiliar, Hers
The curtains block the morning sun
The furnace fails to warm
A howling wind, part wolf, part ghost
Threatens to hold her hostage
She misses Him, his mouth, his eyes
He knows it, threads a needle of keeping her stitched
To a life they used to share
He is there, in pole vaulting passes
Running swiftly, planted, Up High, Over
Landing, Score, Somewhat Satisfied...
Till he thinks he can do better,
Opting for yet, another attempt
At getting it RIGHT...Perfect
She swallows the thick tears, salted and stinging
Choking back the reality she waves away
Wondering if it will ever feel good again,
Coming home to a place, her dog no longer lives,
Her lover no longer visits,
A place where his left behind razor
Rests on her bathroom shelf
A place where nothing feels like a reason
To return