Tag: alone

The Baroness

I caught a glimpse

through the old green shutters 

of the big stone villa 

just off the piazza

heading to the dusky streets

to join the others

in search of reprieve

from the unyielding sun

from the infernal heat,

with dogs at our feet,

anxious to move.

Maria sat alone

on a comfortless chair

pushed against a tall wall

in one of two rooms 

of the many-roomed villa

where she now resides;

motionless

like loneliness 

perched on a chair

in a small stuffy room

of the once grand manor

all but abandoned

save for Maria.

aware of each other

through the old green shutters

of the big stone villa

just off the piazza

i turned from the scene

an unwitting intruder

as Maria stepped forward

and closed the slats

of the old green shutters

shutting out the street

her neighbors

my notice

the night

relief.

The Baroness

(i heard her called)

in quiet 

cloistered

retreat.

she sat

she sat

all dressed in black

from her shoulders

to her shoes

only colors were her flowers

and the cat

she sat

each summer night

all alone

but smile in sight

house was tidy

tidy’s right

and that is that

with her chair

placed just outside

and another by her side

she sat

and hoped a friend

would stop on by

though so few of them remained

she longed to chat

not be alone

so she sat there

greeting every passerby

with her wide

and toothless grin

treating everyone

like kin

she sat

and watched the world

move to and fro

with some crochet in her lap

moving hands

this way and that

she sat

for there was no place

left to go

with a husband

in the grave

and her children gone away

she sat

reflecting back

upon it all

married fifty years

holding back

the salty tears

she knew

that even then

she felt alone

she sat

and thought some more

then her neighbor

from next door

brought some flowers

from her garden

and red wine

so she sat

that summer night

with a good friend

by her side

and she sighed

a tired sigh

for life that’s gone

breathing in

the perfumed air

she was happy

in her chair

for this is where

she sat

when all was done

Alone

I always saw myself as an independent soul

always things to do

always somewhere to go

always geared to discover

new people and new places

always eager to see the world

and all its different faces

now once again I find myself

somewhere new and strange

but this time I’m without my love

without my very best friend

and it’s hard

a challenge to be on my own

a problematic time

to have to be alone with me

and the fragility of my mind

but difficult paths are meant to be

are meant to help us grow

so somewhere I must find my strength

and seek what I must know

and know that soon I’ll have my love

back here where he belongs

back in the arms that long for him

back in this home of ours

back to being one of two

but stronger for the time

when being alone meant being with me

and loving the me that is mine