One Straw Too Many

endings can appear abrupt,

sudden from the outside

though they rarely are

the processes of endings

are usually long and arduous

frought with pains and traumas

not always visible on the surface

a wound here, a cut there

hearts rarely shatter without

first cracking throughout

the shoulders that carry

a field’s worth of haystacks

will falter under the weight

of just one straw too many

the love that endured betrayals,

abuses, bruises and contusions

can die without warning

felled by an unexpected blow

the shared journey can end

when one traveler leaves the other

too far behind, crossing

over one bridge too many

life and love are so easily lost

when so easily taken for granted

and the traveler can find themselves

alone, lost in a dark wilderness

companion no longer in sight

steps unretraceable in the mists

unaware until it was far too late

that the ending was so close

it could have kissed them goodbye.