ONCE

Now I dance alone into the cold, dark night

The angels have departed along with the friends

I strum a guitar without any strings

But the song is silenced by my weeping.

I stumble along into the starless night

Taunted by regrets and beautiful memories

Which I hold tight lest I forget

That once the dark night was illuminated by laughter.

I fall to my knees unable to find the path

And I remain down with hands splayed

Begging forgiveness in the dark and dust

I cry but only I hear the desolation.

I remember your smiling face

I remember holding you close and letting go

I remember the pain and what I felt

So vivid even though it is no more.

I wonder and ask of the night

To grant me one more chance to believe

That what we shared was more than just a memory

That in that love was the promise of another day.