The Loose Path
Seeing our lover despondent and in crisis, in tears and unable to cope can reassure us that,
for all their virtues, they are not alienatingly invincible.
Alain de Botton
Those seven slabs lie – unevenly
spaced on the gravel path
cheaply formed concrete squares
instead of hewn stone tablets
setting all visitors’ strides equal
for their entries and exits
between this falling house
and the latched wooden gate
On number three you stood
and wept too loudly
because of your recent choices
and how they will set you off
from our semi-detached weight
of bricks and faux-stone faces
out to temporary rooms
But that is your own elevation
and your tears will not dilute
my resolution to see our ending
Use those loose stepping stones
to aid your welled-up blindness
I will count out
your seven gone strides