Rekindle: A Variation

Too late to start over again,
to sketch the dance, to hum the tune.
The violins fall silent when
the guests have left the room.

To sketch the dance, to hum the tune
takes energy I don’t possess.
The guests have left the room—
why,  I can’t even guess.

It takes energy I don’t possess
to put away the chairs.
Why, I can’t even guess,
and noone really cares.

To put away the chairs
I can’t complain
and noone really cares
to hear the old refrain.

I can’t complain.
The violins fall silent when
we hear the old refrain.
Too late to start over again.

Rekindle

It’s too late to start over again.
The ashes are cold in the fireplace.
I can’t even remember when
I could picture your face.

The ashes are cold in the fireplace.
I remember what you told me
although I can’t picture your face.
“There is no guarantee.”

I remember what you showed me
in the embers of the wood.
You gave me no guarantee.
I’m sure I understood.

In the embers of the wood
I saw your disguise.
I’m sure I understood
all the truth, all the lies.

I saw your disguise—
I can’t even remember when.
All the truth,  all the lies.
It’s too late to start over again.