Visitors From the Past

They come back to haunt us

to torture us, even--

allowing their presence

for only temporary

(to say the things they need to say)

and to remind us

why they didn't stay...

They come to give us artificial hope,

that we might

revive

what we once massacred.

They come to show us

their faces--

looking more perfect than it

ever did

(or probably ever has)

and to wound us once more-

and then they implore

of us to search

within our self absorption

where and what

is truly the poison.

They then kiss us goodbye,

and leave us standing

in tears:

Broken.

Humiliated.

Devastated,

leaving our love far more than

desecrated.

They come to us to say so long;

Our past loves do this once they've

been long gone!

Just to keep us holding on...

As we are awaiting their sweet return...

inside our hearts viciously burn-

at lengths and temperatures determined by

how fast we are willing and able to learn.

They come back to us, yes, always once more--

But only to leave us like they had once before...