By Mark A. Leon

Hello again, my love
I just want to say hello

One more time with no agenda

Today it seems, you are so far away
I need you back to say, “I need you so”

In all my years, I stumbled through the words
Finding ways to say, just what you already knew

Kindness fell upon your lap
A freckled smile; a childhood laugh
A tender kiss, I was on my way
Looking back, all I could say was silence
A mute

A coward to the fear of letting you know
Falling prey to letting you go

In the shadows; the wind; your past is close behind
Smell of your morning rests on these worn pillows

I was your cowboy, quick to the draw; justified with cause
The chivalry wasn’t enough
It was the flesh wounds of my emotional absence
The quiet nights with no fight in the distance

This horse is come to pasture now taking solace in a pond under a blue sky in this all too familiar place
A red letter day for these old eyes

Seeing the sun rise after so many lonely sunsets
Seeing your reflection in every river
Hearing your voice in the song of the coyotes
Feeling your warmth sitting by the light of the fire

It’s time to come home and to say hello

Dear love