Apologies

Feigned compassion
for selfish intentions

Empty sorries
prefaced with clauses
whose subtle cues
clue into the inevitable shadow
of disappointment that leaves traces
from the corner of a well rehearse smile
to the lost sparkle of a promise once broken but
never forgotten, that lived so shortly in eye.

Once cannot be angry at this storm for embarking across the face.
It was whispering stories of its coming.
Once can only bask in the sun
of reluctant denial
and wait until the rains wash
every good feeling out with
disenchanted doubt.

Distance well rehearsed
are the words that hail from the mouth,
carrying with them
no spirit or response
only the shallow recourse which
does not offer shelter
from the shattering frozen
apology.