P’Dtoh drives through the rain

I wander to the place
you broke my heart
twenty five years ago today. I want to know
how long suffering
can stretch. I never pondered
suicide. I can’t
imagine cutting off
experience. When you stood
at the ferry mouth and asked me to leave you
I froze upon the bouncing dock and watched
you step into the boat. Your black ponytail and garbage air
swerved songs into my head
and I ached for the piano
my mother did not have
and did not get until
I turned thirty five. I suffered through
other songs then,
dampened by years of experience.

(lhl)