Your words chosen oh so carefully.   Beautifully. “I want to know you. Tell me anything and everything.”   Recklessly. “Let’s move away from here. We can start over, somewhere warmer.”   You led me down the most romantic path saying, “You’re the best thing that ever happened to me.”   I smiled all the way thinking there would be flowers, diamonds, and a stroller at the end. But it only led to slaughter.   Two cuts: first shallow— “I don’t feel the same,” then deep— “No, we can’t be friends...

Where is one to go when love has departed? When breath wavers, my throat tightens, and only despair fills my lungs?   My wounds burn with saltwater grief— it always comes in waves. Unlike the tide, it doesn’t recede quickly. I grit my teeth in the sting. I will remain by the water.   Pacing the dock by day, sitting atop the lighthouse by night. The shore is now my home. Here I may be found, while I wait for love’s return.   His voyage long, his journey hard fought. His soul worn and weary,...

I saw us in the sunrise this morning as my plane was taking off, flaming glow of my wild heart against the calm blue backdrop of your bold humility. I saw us in the family of six sitting in the row ahead. Glimpsing the future we dreamed, I felt like I was looking at you, me, us— four young sons, my eyes blue, your smile wide, my reservation, your responsibility. I saw us on the drive to the Cape, your spirit lingering in the changing leaves, mirroring your metamorphosis— crimson, amber, gold,...