A Return to the Night

I loved you,
Once.

When the blood moon was high
And the snow drifted down
From the heavens
Like fallen stars,
I loved you.

When the seasons faded
Into one another
And time seemed
Endless,
I loved you.

When the tears I never cried,
Flowed mercilessly one night
And I felt as though I were
Adrift in the mist,
I loved you.

When my heart ached and broke
Into a million tiny pieces and felt
Like my soul was cast into the fire
All because
I loved you.

And now, after what seems
Like years,
I have finally made my return
To the night.

Where the forest welcomes me
Back and the wolves howl my name.

I return to the place I call home.
The netherworld beneath my
Blessed mother
And feel her glow on my skin.

I leave behind the memories
Of what we said to each other,
Sealed inside an envelope
Of empty words.

I leave behind the nightmares
And the sorrow of seeing you
Walk away.
I leave it all behind because
I loved you.

But I love myself more.

©️KVP
Art: SkullHeads
Prompt:
“Tears I never cried”
“Adrift in the mist.”
“Envelope of empty words”
@altpoetryprompt