I asked you to...

I asked you to hang the shelf for me a long time ago.
“OK”, you said. “I’ll take care of it”.
It’s still here
Where it was when I asked.

I asked you to mow the lawn.
You said you would.
It’s overgrown
And hasn’t been done.

I asked you to pick up your shoes.
They are always
In the middle of the room.
You smiled at me and left them there.

All the things I asked
Have been left undone.
Minor promises broken
Small disappointments piling up.

I asked you to stay with me
For the rest of my life.
You said “I’m going nowhere”
And then you died.

Now I see the shelf
And sob
Remembering your promise
And leave it where it sits.

I lay in the lawn
Thinking of you.
And the lawnmower sits
In the garage unused.

I step over your shoes
In the middle of the room.
They won’t be picked up
I remember you this way.

© Copyright 2007 KelleyZ (UN: kelleyz at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
KelleyZ has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.