affection's bondage

for so long I wrote of you;

of my self absorption with us

and now I write mostly of 

tulips, ducks, waking up to pee.

I think of you less often

and with little agony,

anxious only to understand 

why this is now so and 

how long it will last; 

how steadfastly I'll remain

liberated from affection's bondage,

and whether I'll be able to 

walk away from you 

next time we meet 

without lingering 

or looking 

back. 

Poem © 2007 by R. Burnett Baker 

Photo © 2008 by R. Burnett Baker