Lilacs

It was clutter strewn.
Four years worth of living
in boxes, stacked all around us,
except for the sheets and blankets
still unpacked that last night.
I remember that,
and the smell of the lilacs you gathered.

Roses wouldn’t do.
They were too bold,
saying too much.
The lilacs were just right
for confessions unwillingly made.

The last few months
should have been packed away,
along with your copy of Shakespeare’s sonnets
and my biology text books.
That’s what we agreed to do.

But the scent of lilacs
while the moon shone on us both,
weakened our resolve
to never say the words
we swore we would not.

Before dawn came we said them,
despite knowing how much easier it would be
if they weren’t true.
We learned easier doesn’t mean happier,
as the lilacs bore witness to a new promise
of a word we would not say.
Goodbye.


This poem was inspired by a prompt given by A Dash of Sunny: Nothing Is More Memorable Than Scent.

34 comments:

  1. A wonderful picture of an emotional turning point, complete with context. Well done.
    Steve K.

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  2. In all my greed, I want this poem to evolve into a short story. There is so much I want to know about these pair: what came before and after the lilacs, or if there is lilacs all the way...

    Love this piece, Rommy.

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  3. beautiful,, simply beautiful,

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  4. Beautifully written. The happy endings are not always the neat ones.

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    1. Yup. Sometimes happy ending have some complications, but such is the way of life. Still, a happy ending is worth fighting for. :)

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  5. But the scent of lilacs
    while the moon shone on us both,
    weakened our resolve
    to never say the words
    we swore we would not.

    Gosh! How I adore this poem Rommy :D especially love how you juxtapose the scent of lilacs and the moon together into this lovely scene. Beautifully executed. Thank you so much for participating at Prompt Nights and for your constant love and support :D

    Lots of love,
    Sanaa

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    1. Thank you for being so supportive as well :)

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  6. Exquisite poem, with suspense building all the way. What was that word going to be? Goosebumps at the end. (Following you!)

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    1. The song choice gives a big hint of what they were afraid to say that night.

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  7. Oh, my! So poignant, the softness of a sad reality so well versed. Absolutely amazing!

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  8. I feel this in my bones, because years ago I lived something close to it --we've all had goodbyes, those we wanted and those we didn't. Your words bring beautiful images together with sad memories -- bittersweet and true. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. The unwanted goodbyes, especially when both parties finally realize they don't really want to go, can be quite bittersweet.

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  9. Oh I am all teary now!...and I have just planted 2 lilac trees...beautiful yet sad XXX

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    1. I'm jealous! I don't have a sunny spot big enough by my townhouse for a lilac tree.

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  10. The scent of goodbye... This is a heart-breaking read, but one gets the sense of the speaker understanding the moment in all its tender and poignant glory.

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  11. yes, you teased our interest, our curiosity but i this came as a moments reflection of where things were and now where they are. sometime the story is fluid, evolving in this context.

    nice expression, gracias for sharing

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  12. Replies
    1. De nada. :)

      (My folks are from Peru and my Spanish isn't too shabby. I can read it more easily than I write it though)

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  13. Surprise ending!! Perhaps more ought to say goodbyes. Just thinking. I pretty well packed and left while she was at work (with her new friend).
    Did you live along I-80? I grew up 35 miles north of Omaha on a farm. It belonged to Grandpa and Dad farmed it. We had lots of snow.
    ..

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    1. I grew up in New Jersey, with I-80 being one of the main highways I regularly used.

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  14. This just yearns... it longs to be continued... yes, I've smelled those lilacs before.

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    1. Exactly so. An ending was scheduled, but the youngsters are hoping for a "To Be Continued" instead.

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  15. Wow Rommy, this is phenomenal! Bittersweet memories.

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