tattered banners

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You slid your back against the wall
And pulled your knees up to your chest.
I had always intuited a fall
But not so soon.
Not now... not yet.

There were still kind words left unsaid,
Still checkbooks to balance--
A mortgage to pay.
But I can't betray myself for you to stay.
Not now... not ever.

I stitched the tattered flag together
And waved it above my head--
Our lover's banner.
But a tattered flag won't catch wind.
Not now... not then.

I had a premonition of the end,
Drawing checks to bribe my anxieties,
Soaking my bruises in epsom salt.
Somethings are just meant to be.
Not you... not me.

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