walking alone on the shore at dusk

I walked, then once, upon the shore

at water's edge without a care, nor

errant thought to cloud my mind.

So pleasant there, I sought to find

the company of kindred souls

some sacred partners - hearts like coals -

that burned with passion and a need

to twine together; yearn to feed

a growing, deepening  hallowed trust;

discarding thoughts of shallow lust

for worldly pleasures - all foresworn;

we'd miss them not, and never mourn

the fallacy of what had been

but turn instead to what's within.

Then find, I did those kindred hearts

the ones that take your many parts

and simply make them whole again; 

forgetting easily what's been

a checkered past with no success -

of finding hope and finding rest.

And for a moment we did walk

together and have time to talk

of dreams and places we would go

sweet fellowship; so good to know

that others held so like a mind

(the rarest gift, you'll never find)

And hope was birthed anew once more

as wandered we, upon the shore.

But times were hard and shadows fell;

where once was light was now a well

of darkness rife with grief and loss

- no penitent could pay that cost -

and hearts were shattered without thought

no chance for restitution brought.

So echoes now, on lonely sand

a wrenching want and sharp demand

for what has been and now has left

an aching loss of closeness cleft. 

I walk alone upon the shore -

'twas first with three, but now, no more.