The Fire Escape

Love in New York City is as magical as it sounds.

We were completely in sync,

unforgivingly enamored with one another,

as we walked without predetermined destinations.

A thousand lifetimes could never have prepared me for our mystifying connection.

Oh, how terribly I ached for the fairytale he presented to me.

A life in Brooklyn Heights, together, completely safe and free.

With every shuddering breath, slowly my mangled heart healed.

But had I overlooked the words and actions that disrespected my boundaries?

An unexpected case of Déjà Vu struck me one afternoon,

as I sat on the fire escape,

listening to the emergency sirens,

absorbing the city I'd dreamed of since childhood.

Although it was a different state, a better place, with a kinder man,

I'd read this book before,

even seen the advanced screening of this indie film.

So for a moment, with tears pricking my eyes,

I pretended they'd refilmed the final scene.

Instead of kissing outside a courthouse,

the actress packed her bags

and left behind the love she once believed

would finally set her free.