Island

When I woke the suitcases had already been packed,
Some what hurridly piled into the door frame
And beyond, the unusual silence
Usually banished by breakfast plates.

When I padded outside she had been standing there,
Morning dew already soaking her shoulders
And with that well known glaze
Eyed the shoreline behind grey boulders.

"I'm going, for good", that well worn line repeated
Disturbed me little, I let it go and nodded
To start the fire and lighten
The doorway darkened by her shadow

"It's exciting, you know, that far away place"
She talks of a place where fires burn
Across sparse plains,
Her eyes dim with shining tears.

" You wouldn't understand" she'd sniff in contempt
When I'd load the air with unvoiced questions
Wonder off as she does now
To the land beyond this sheltered coast.

I packed a peach in her bag to take with her
A pink, furry reminder of home and I
No doubt she'll need it,
There were no signs of rain in the sky.

We walked on to the beach hand in hand once more
She squeezed more tightly than last time
Not as tight as the first
And muttered Adrien under her breath.

Briefly I wondered why she left me alone everytime
In this little house by the beach I kept
A warm bed, food and fire
Watching over her while she slept.

But as quickly as the thought was banished to my pocket
She withdrew a folded paper boat from her own
Masted it with words
Speedily unfurled, and set it afloat

Clambering in was well practiced, as were the goodbyes
A careful kiss on the cheek and a prolonged hug,
Before she gave me a look
That bespoke a determination she didn't possess.

I stayed until the last speck of white dissipated into the waves
When even the wind could not billow her words to me
Then the familar pang echoed
In a strangely hollow part of my chest.

Then I turned and walked away from the little bay
Back through the boulders at which lapped
The naviety she sails back across
When she returns upon evening, to her bed.