Longing

 

This poem is about a man who has accepted the end of a profound love but hasn’t emotionally let it go. 

He respects that the woman is married and that the relationship is over, yet his subconscious still holds onto what they once had. 

Dreams are the only space where that love survives.

It’s not about trying to reclaim her—it’s about mourning a love that never fully died inside him, even though life moved on.

The tone is wistful, tender, and restrained—more about quiet longing than regret or bitterness.

Title.

Longing.

(A lone voice whispers)

To the girl whose cross I once carried.

Like a reborn Jesus at Via Dolorosa.

Even though you're now married.

There's still a secret inside me.

Hidden so deep only my unconscious can find when it too has to sleep.

A secret I treasure and unconsciousness breathes into life. Through dreams that we are still husband and wife.

Oh, what I'd give for a few hours more to be under your power.

But our love quietly picked up its suitcase and walked out our door.

Leaving me to wallow in this.

My neverending Witching Hour.

(C)

Copyright John Duffy 

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