terms of surrender

This was writ some time ago, right after a breakup with a woman he adore and had bent over backwards to please and keep in his sphere. The poem reflects the frustration with being unable to hold onto her, the futility of sacrifice in some cases.

terms of surrender.

I can't pretend her love is unconditional.
or even original.
like a sin of omission.
someone left that off before.
and the more
all the more I try to make a cube
of the six coloured squares
and the innocent stares,
the more I get a hypercube.
time running like blood
between ritual fingers
raised in defense
a moment after the arrow
strikes home.
and the stone
anchors the swimmer
to his fate.
there is not grace in victory.
for the acid etching are not sweet.
not even bitter as they burn
a channel
as they churn the curdled cream
of a dream
left too long in the sun.
while you run
for the shadows.


William F. DeVault. all rights reserved.