FLASHBACK

This month’s full moon shone from above
as we lay on the bed and slowly made love.
The passion I feared wouldn’t come again,
now flared to life and healed my pain.

He’d touched my heart in many ways,
as we fought and loved in earlier days.
My spirit soared to a dizzying height
as he held me tenderly through the night.

We had called it quits some time ago,
sick of the battles and filled with woe.
We’d sought our comfort in other arms;
told ourselves we preferred their charms.

But deep within was an empty place
that came to life when I saw his face.
How could I know he felt the same?
For all I knew he was filled with blame.

No matter how much I kept him at bay,
he refused to give up: wouldn’t go away!
I decided to give him another chance
and take the risk it was only romance.

We’d made a date for that Saturday night;
I dressed with care, put my makeup on light.
It’s summer so I wore a sheer white gown;
admiring eyes followed me around town.

I was first to arrive at the restaurant
so I ordered a glass of crème de menthe.
It wasn’t long till he joined me there
and try as he might,couldn’t help but stare.

All my efforts had been worthwhile,
his pleasure showed in his lusty smile.
We dined on Italian food that night
then walked the beach in soft moonlight.

My heart pounded as he drew me near,
deafening me to the voices of fear.
My body remembered his fiery touch,
it was all I could do not to tell him as much.

Fire and Ice had been his final decree;
oh how those words had haunted me.
The icy mask that for him I wore
hid from his view my wounded core.

My fires of passion burned deep within
but my anger and pride wouldn’t let him in.
One too many wounds to my heart
had made me fearful of any new start.

I didn’t think I could survive again
if taking him back led to more pain.
He’d promised never to let me down.
I’ve heard that before;I’ve been around!

Despite myself I let down my guard,
living without him was just too hard.
Three months of dating is the rule I’ve set,
I’ll know by then the type of man I’ll get.

For now though he is showering me,
with love and laughter by the sea.
No matter what the future may hold,
this time I’ll come in from the cold.
(c) Sandra Anne Beal