Ashtray
by D. K. Sterling

He tells me
he's divorcing--
says it's "a good thing"
and in those words
I understand the reason 
burrowed beneath                                                                                                                                   the bravery.

To many it seems
a death for mourning...

(this parting of ways)

truth is--
the dying is done,
only deepened
by the staying.

It takes far less courage
to stir the ashes;

it takes much more wisdom
to stand and cast them

away...

once the ashtray
of love is full.