It was '94
and when you reached out both your arms
to kiss me
and to hold me tight for the last time
I cowered,
but that was '94

now you have come back
into my life
and you expect an explanation
I intended for an excuse
but never
one you wanted

The air outside
almost seemed to cool
about three degrees
when you pulled up
in the field,
my field,
in your big blue sedan

I think it was a tornado

either way
I felt my spine
tighten up

you stepped out
and,
with the sun setting behind you,
you opened your mouth to speak

but not a single word
ever passed through your lips
when I released
everything I held inside
since '94