Poem: I Forgot To Say 'I Love You'

photo by Clarita (http://claranatoli.blogspot.co.uk/)

I Forgot To Say 'I Love You'

I watched you drive away that night

From the open window on the landing.

The one you said you'd always paint,

But hadn't yet got round to.

I watched you drive round the corner

And I hoped you'd be back soon

Because I missed you already,

And needed you home again.

You went out to get a takeaway -

Chinese, I think. You wouldn't be long.

So I ran myself a hot bath to relax.

And then the phone rang.

You went out at twenty to,

And the call came in at eight,

Making me jump because it was

Unexpected; no one calls on Friday night.

They said there'd been an accident,

And you were just about hanging on.

I ran from the house and drove to you,

But by them it was too late.

They said you hadn't suffered at all, 

But I was barely listening; all I 

Could think as I sat, watching nothing move,

Was that I forget to say 'I love you'. 

And now I sit alone on Friday nights

Imagining you walking through that door,

Bag of food in one hand, wine in the other,

And a ready smile on your lips.

The window still needs painting, but I

Haven't got the heart to do it.

I sit and pick the old dead flakes ff,

As I listen for the sound of your key in the door. 

©Lisamarie Lamb 2012