leaving the heart

she takes the stairs, 

her heels click clacking down the hardwood steps. 

she turns the tarnished silver doorknob, 

and the door creaks open. 

before her sits a man. 

the man, 

tough and gritty, 

but beautiful. 

his desk is a mess. 

she knows it resembles his mind. 

now aware of her presence, he begins tidying, ignoring her gaze. 

she watches, not daring to step an inch closer, 

nearer to the point of no return.

the man gets up from his leather armchair, and sighs a soul crushing sigh. 

his pants are wrinkled, and his worn white shirt is stained with sweat

this is the end

and he knows that. 

"the car's ready" she says, in a hushed tone, as if speaking louder would break him once and for all. 

he grabs one stack of papers, and a couple books from the mess on the floor, stuffs them into his briefcase, and stands before her

tears fill her eyes, 

as she looks into his

and can see 

the light is gone. 

they ride in silence. 

he leans his head against the window, and she wonders what he's thinking about

a long lost dream?

the idea of forever?

love?

or nothing.

nothing at all, 

for when his love went away, 

his soul went too. 

she lets the tears fall, gazing out at the baron land beside her, 

and his hand grasps hers. 

for this is the last time they'd ever truly love.