Shadows

Shadows in my memories begin to resurface,
So many times have I buried them from my head.
Not wanting to, but still living in the past.
So many times did I wash my hands of you,
But soon after I’m left with dirty hands again.
Scars on my heart throbs with phantom pain,
Wounds cut too deep bleed freely like tears.
Just when the pain subsides,
A flash of emotion sears my soul.
A permanent tattoo pierced my thoughts,
A picture from the past brushes my mind.
A distant memory whispers softly.
It seems to me your presence still lingers,
Why, oh why do you haunt me?!
You’re haunting my thoughts,
You’re haunting my dreams,
Leave; please leave me, now forever.
I hate you.
Or do I?
God, I’m so tired of asking you these questions!
At night I pray, that soon your memory will fade away.
As these tears fall,
I’m washing my hands of you now.
May this be the last,
The last tear.
Lynnette Gallegos 2004
November 10