From Within

From Within


I stare at the apple that's in my kitchen.
Once damaged, the rot spreads without and within.
Love dies the same slow way, no matter the source
of the damage done. There's no other recourse.
It starts with a bruising of ego and pride
and strips away facades. There's no place to hide.
I still remember how a touch or a glance
would thrill like we'd read in a dime-store romance.
From tentative touches to passionate nights
each day spent together brought us to new heights.
I stare at the apple that's in my kitchen.
Once damaged, the rot spreads without and within.

Love dies the same slow way, no matter the source
of the damage done. There's no other recourse.
I think back in time to when it fell apart.
Like a crystal ball, I stare into my heart.
Too many late nights, too focused on success.
Was it my actions that placed you in distress,
too many promises that were never kept,
too many nights alone that you sat and wept?
The small desperations add up over time.
We went through the motions, like some lover's mime.
I stare at the apple that's in my kitchen.
Once damaged, the rot spreads without and within.

It starts with a bruising of ego and pride
and strips away facades. There's no place to hide.
Seconds become minutes, then hours, then years;
the widening gulf soon is flooded with tears.
From "love you" to silence, I ignored alarms.
You chose to seek solace in another's arms.
Decisions are made; there's no way to return.
Hearts, once they have been broken, will always spurn
the temptation to forgive. They can't forget.
I sit here in silence. I'm filled with regret.
I stare at the apple that's in my kitchen.
Once damaged, the rot spreads without and within.


Notes:
An entry for "Charles' Monthly Poetry Contest~June"  [13+]
Prompt: Write a poem about a boyfriend/husband/girlfriend/wife breaking your heart
Form: The Licentia Rhyme Form, a poetic form created by Laura Lamarca, consists of at least 3 12-line stanzas with 11 syllables per line. If the poem is elongated, add on to the following rhyme scheme: AABBCCddeeAA, BBffgghhiiAA, CCjjkkllmmAA
Line Limit: 60
Line Count: 36


Thank you for taking time to read my words. I would appreciate it if you took a moment and left a comment. Your reaction, impressions, criticisms, - yes, even encouragement and/or praise - are all equally welcome.

Ken