But
I’d turned down the volume for you
dimmed the light for you
spoke in hushed tones
plumped the pillows for you
waiting for you
to finally come home
You never did.
Now the mute button is off
pillows tossed
and I light up like firecrackers
4th of July
the day your rocky façade began to melt
fast and messy
like cheap birthday candle wax
when the wish takes too long
I have returned to fire and earth
Your weakness no longer my burden
your cowardice no longer my guilt
There is still love
but also consequence
I have reverted to stone
yet I am weeping water too.
© S. Rinderle, 2015
Purple Lyrics 
~~back flips, cartwheels, crazed arms waving~~ “I have returned to fire and earth”
This one is, I think, one of your very best. Some of the image contrasts are strong—he cheap candle wax & the stone, yet wet—but also it is stated softly, but carries a great weight of memory.
H
>
Wow! Thank you, Hugh, for your sensitive insights and kind feedback. This poem makes me feel all kind of things, as you can tell.