by Barbara Kasey Smith

Created on: June 17, 2008

Don't Forget Your Suitcase

Don't forget your suitcase
I crammed it full of your lies and misgivings
stuck pictures of the "other women" in your shirt pocket
gave you the ring we sealed our wedding vows
put our marriage license in as a reminder of our failures
placed one of Marie's and Brad's baby curls in an envelope.

Don't forget your suitcase
it's loaded with the loving words I use to whisper to you

returned all the Christmas gifts you gave me
wrapped our family portraits in your undershirts
tucked the lipstick stained handkerchiefs out of harm's way
slipped in those moments of marital bless.

Don't forget your suitcase
it'll never darken this door again
it was a gift you gave to me when I had our first child
take away these scars instilled in my heart and soul
there'll be "no" friendship other than for the children's sake
it's a heavy suitcase...I jam-packed everything inside.

Don't forget your suitcase
the children's tears lay on each piece of clothing
Brad asked if I could pack him inside to surprise you
I left his questions inside so you could respond to him
I put Marie's worries about not having a father in the pockets
there'll be "no" forgiveness after all this suffering.

Don't forget your suitcase
I cannot stand to look you in the eye for I see deceit and shame
I'd like to take those years back I wasted on you
discard your name as though it was a cancer
forget the promises we made to each other
I'm moving on with my life...I'll survive without you.

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