20 Mar 00

Pain

it is there now

now that we have left ours behind

after accompanying us

through most things

realizing together

it is all we would find

within each pleasant smile?

it was contained

pushed behind,

but not erased,

then surfacing

from some unexpected place

at your going

it has not ceased

not been eased

my constant companion

all I ever had of you

it remains

I had hoped it would get better

but I feel it

at each endeavor

and here at the end

it is the only thing

your only trace

By

Everett E. Phillips, III