Our Love is as Dead as That Duck

Maybe our love has run dry;

Maybe it was never true.

You convinced me to let him die.

Pain and shame left to stew.

He was wading alone.

Away from him his family had flew,

Leaving burdens heavy as stone,

Reminiscent of how I found you.

Struggling to pull up and climb out,

Inhibited by banks overgrown ,

Help! – He cannot shout.

And will not make it on his own.

Anguish gripped me fiercely.

You knelt, hands outstretched,

But he didn’t understand – maybe couldn’t see,

Or maybe help seemed too farfetched.

And when can no longer swim?

Natural selection will claim his life.

How quickly you dismissed him,

In the face of such strife.

A glance backward, and nonchalant:

He’ll be fine, what else can we do?

Leaving was something I didn’t want,

And knew his fate if we withdrew.

Tormented by the choice, I retched.

You sounded so sure.

I let your voice drown out my heart.

His little life, so innocent and pure,

Was doomed from the start.

I went by the next day,

Saw his belly pointed to the sky.

Pain weighed heavy with dismay,

Knees hit the dirt – shame I can’t deny.

Drowned in the place he was made for.

You mock my love for encompassing all,

And laugh as my tears for him pour.

Making me feel silly and stupid and small.

He is our love exemplified:

Both forsaken, not worth your bother.

Cries for help which you decline –

Is this how you’d be as a father?

He and I, rotting from inside out.

Love has made a departure,

Your lack of empathy leaves no doubt

My life is better not treading your water.

Alone as the last breath is drawn.

Leave,

Leaving,

Left,

Gone.