His and Hers

When she passed him the volume
He recoiled
Unsure of her meaning
Hesitant
To take the damaged book.
Leather cover scratched
Cut beyond repair
Two names no longer graced the front
One gouged away
The date so long ago
Still visible
Gilt letters in graceful script
A single initial now stood
Upon the slashed surface.
She had tossed it away
Anger boiling from her
Then rescued the binding
Her face aflame
Hiding it in his empty closet.
His photo remained
Hers surgically removed
To another book of memories
Closed away in darkness
From her rage.
Only he and his
Left in the jagged cover
To stand alone.
She placed the offering in his hands
Needing him to see the spoils
To survey the damage for himself.
The images of two
Ripped
Divided
Removed
Scattered
Detached
Disjointed
Rent asunder
And sovereign
No longer existing together
But apart
Now freed.