Shattered Remains

The rain beats harshly down
A sorrowful man wipes tears from his eyes as they softly kiss his frown
He holds his trench coat close, as not to reveal himself to the crowd around
Walks and walks does he, meaning and purpose long forgotten.
For life is now a ghost, an empty vessel, full of shattered memories of times past
Everywhere he looks, he notices things that remind him of times that did not last.
Walks and walks does he, happiness and joy long forgotten.
Pangs of pain flash through him at the sight of lovers arm in arm
Pangs of anger surge through him at the sight of friends merrily conversing
For all of his friends, save one, have deserted him long ago.
Walks and walks does he, waiting for the long, painful day to yield into night
He turns to talk to a young women, an old friend, she turns away, “Do I know you”?
He reaches out to a man, “old friend how are you?”, The man looks disgusted and turns
Walks and walks does he, to an end that he does not know, that he wishes not to know
For happy days have passed
Now that his life has left, ever day forever seems to last
And the darkness of night is the harbinger of sweet relief.

(C) James Hardin 2008