The Scultpure Poem by Justin Reamer

An orca stares back at me,
A black and white sculpture,
With eyes of serenity,
Drifting peacefully in the ocean as
Refracted sunlight illuminates it.

Memories come to me—
The artist, my mother's former
Lover and high school sweetheart,
Who loved her even still,
Handcrafted the gift—
Bringing it to life,
Which is now
The peaceful whale,
A symbol of his affection,
A gift from our would-be father.

Once a lover, the artist was committed,
But commitment was absent from his heart.
Fearing marriage, he absconded,
Fearing the responsibilities entailed.
A good man, he had been,
But a coward, he would always be.

Departing from his beloved,
He vanished into the tides of time,
Leaving behind the sculpture,
My only legacy.