The Fire is Dying

Our love was like a fire, flaming hot and high, burning out of control, and consuming everything in its path. But slowly our passions cooled, and we found ourselves sitting at the table, looking at each other with nothing to say. We had nothing in common but it never mattered until it did. That flame of love slowly shrank until it was a bed of glowing coals, and then, finally, just smoke rising. There was nothing we could do.

So, we started talking about what life would look like if we went our separate ways. These discussions hurt quite a bit at first. It hurts to hear someone talk about leaving you, when you used to be their world. Then, I realized that it didn’t matter, because I could move on without him, too.

We were sitting outside one night, drinking beer and trying to fill the silence and somehow I just knew that he would leave tomorrow. I took him by the hand and walked him over to the edge of the property to watch the sun go down. The sky filled with blazing colors of orange and yellow and purple. “This is what we were like,” I said to him, and tears began to flow down my cheeks. He squeezed my hand. Without a word, we both walked back into the house, went straight to the bedroom, disrobed and lay next to each other, as we had so many times.

Somehow, we would face a tomorrow full of unknowns, and nothing would ever be the same. I realized how much I would miss him. I rose, and opened the curtains so the moonlight would stream into the room. And in the moonlight, we said good-bye in the only way we could.

Don’t look so sad
I know it’s over
But life goes on
And this old world

Will keep on turning
Let’s just be glad
We had some time to spend together
There’s no need to watch the bridges
That we’re burning

Lay your head
Upon my pillow
Hold your warm and tender body
Close to mine

Hear the whisper of the raindrops
Blowing soft, across the window
And make believe you love me
One more time
For the good times

I’ll get along
You’ll find another
And I’ll be here
If you should find
You ever need me
Don’t say a word
About tomorrow, or forever
There’ll be time enough for sadness
When you leave me
Lay your head
Upon my pillow
Hold your warm and tender body
Close to mine
Hear the whisper of the raindrops
Blowing soft across the window
And make believe you love me
One more time
For the good times
For the good times.

Songwriters: Kris Kristofferson

I chose this song, recorded by Kris Kristofferson in 1970.

Jim Adams challenged – Respond to this challenge by either using the prompt word ribbon, or going with the above picture, or by means of the song ‘Help Me Make It Through the Night’, or by going with another song by Kris Kristofferson or Sammi Smith, or any other song that is about someone who is desperate and lonely and seeking intimate companionship, or go with anything else you think fits.  

Thursday Inspiration #287 Help Me Make It Through the Night