Empty Nesters

Empty Nesters

The memory of our children's births,
bright like modern art in my mind.
No longer feeling as I did back then,
and you too feel the same way in kind.

Too damn chicken to face the fact,
the kids were what kept us together.
No constant mom chores to be done,
long broken the apronstrings tether.

We connect during special occasions,
catching glimpses of the old you and me.
Am I anything I once was in your eyes?
If only life could be as it used to be.

Not exactly cheating, but still we left,
though technically we're both still here.
What we have now is very confusing,
If we talk again will it become clear?

The common bonds between us have grown.
They've left our nest and have flown away.
If only we had held each other as dearly,
as we did our children along the way.

Finding ourselves in separate comforts,
we did not leave due to co-dependance.
Not nurturing the other as lovers and friends,
being stuck with a stranger is our penance.

What lies ahead for us scares me to death.
You seem to change right before my eyes.
Maybe it's me that's changing and not you.
It's time for the truth now,no more disguise.

Who am I kidding? We'll go on as always,
touching each other only by some accident.
Looking startled at each other wondering,
where the love of our lives up and went.

Grandparents now,years have flown by,
grandma and pop we're called now.
A least we've a new place to hide in,
When did the old us die and how?

by: Kimarie Manhart-Freeman