The Art of Letting You Go

I placed you by the window
Hoping the wind would blow you out
And that your scent would just dispense
So there would be less to dream about

I let you circle in the sink
Willed you down the rabbit hole
Perhaps if I could end it quickly
Your absence would take no toll

But the wind would not pick up
And you just circled till I was dizzy
Your sent lingered like a shadow
Your absence cut me with great frenzy

I danced with you in dreams
That kept me up all night
Months passed and seasons too
Even summer could not shake my plight

So I put you down on paper
And the load upon my back
Lightened only slightly
Still, I liked the thought of that

So I cried out to my mother
Till I'd dispensed every angry tear
And the rumble once inside me
Was now in my mother's ear

So I put on my running shoes
Ran till you had all but disappeared
And I left you standing on the sidewalk
Miles and miles from here

And every piece that loitered
Became fuel to toss in the fire
And that night I set you ablaze
Left me empty, but so inspired

Still, dreams cannot be tamed
And a time or two we've waltzed once more
But you and the music are gone by morning
I don't live in dreams anymore.