Silent Departure

Last words spoken hang in the silence.

Bright morning sunshine
slices down
through the kitchen windows,
old glass splintering the light 
into glimmering shards 
that bounce around the room.

Random bits of light 
flicker across the green linoleum, 
catching the edges 
of faint footprints, 
destination unknown
but for the unlocked 
screen door.

Last words spoken
hang in the silence,
where the evening before
a meal was shared and 
promises broken.

The footprints,
some still wet, 
some dried, 
all painful reminders
of someone’s 
silent departure.