How long to carry on this pretense

That, yes, I am now fine

Making believe that you are just away on another

Of your many leavings

But how to walk

In the shade of the trees

And the flowers on a path

You loved and often walked home

Without feeling you beside me.

Perhaps it was best

You left with a goodbye

Yet so much remains unsaid

Through the off and on years together

As it turns out, we hardly knew each other.

Neni Sta. Romana Cruz

Neni Sta. Romana Cruz is founding director of where the Write Things Are Writing Center, and was former Chair of the National Book Development Board. She is an author of 18 books, and has been included in over 30 anthologies. She is a freelance journalist, book reviewer, and editor, and is happiest cocooning at home.