A Little Death

Each time you leave in anger

I die a little death

Until you return.

Life quickens then,

Joyously awakening

And I live again.

I am alive and do not notice

The little part that died

Is that how love dies?

Bit by bit,

A little death at a time?

A little Light put out,

A little Colour taken,

A little of the Joy

A little of the Wonder

Suffocated

Garroted

By each little deceit

Each trust belied

By each harsh word

Each arrogant toss of the head;

By each careless word

By the blind belief

That love can never die!

Money we protect,

Jewels we preserve,

All easily replaced.

Yet love freely given

Valueless until it's lost

Lost bit by bit,

To each little death!

Days and nights do change

Months and years go by

A sudden thought

A dimly remembered dream

Catches the breath

And twists the heart

With memories of the love

That died so very long ago,

A little death at a time.