Renting Love

I roam through aisles, renting love,

Until you’re back in stock.

I comb through genres, A to Z,

Until a stroke of luck.

I loop back every now and then,

To check your empty spot.

I droop my shoulders down again

To see your empty slot.

I float away from that second letter,

To shop around the store.

I gloat about finding something better,

To mute my mental sore.

It’s dawned on me just recently

That you might never be returned.

It’s fond memories just haunting me

That really start to burn.

Act I, Scene I, was so mild mannered.

Act II, Scene II, I was so enamored.

Act III, Scene III, our audience clamored.

Act IV, Scene IV, slammed down with a hammer.

I’m realizing now,

It was you that found me.

In this empty spot,

Right here, Aisle 3.

A row full of tragedies

And unfortunate events.

A row full of stories

I’ve guarded against.

I promise I’ll try

To rewrite frustration

In August I’ll cry

Overdue elation.