once

From 1975, a curiosity of a poem about a breakup that had not yet occurred and, indeed was a few years in the future.

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choose your weapon...clasp the hilt...

behold the plain where blood is spilt.

steal my thunder...steal my dream...

but tamper not with poet's theme.

you loved me,

once. when flowers played

at wind's command...

when dreams smiled,

but only at those who held

a lover's hand.

you loved me.

but I was not aware

of all that meant...

and the delicate blossom,

sterile, fell with mourning petals,

its energy spent.

you loved me.

and we can never return

to that sphere...

I didn't know what

it was we shared...and only now

may I shed a tear.

William F. DeVault. all rights reserved.