Childish, stupid, hurtful behavior
stared him in the eyes —
She’s gone; too late to apologize.
Was there nothing left to savor?

Guilt and shame followed
on his heels —
an infinity of appeals;
he heard only echos so hollow.

Then he looked at one constantly grooming
who couldn’t care less —
nothing to confess,
only finger-pointing, blaming and repugning.

Maybe it would be better
to live with a solipsistic mind —
so narcissistically unkind,
to live with a conscience unfettered.

No! Such a life knows nothing of love.
Thank God for expiation —
the chance to be forgiven,
where grief anticipates the descent of the peaceful dove.