The Heart Necklace

A child sits numbly at a table 
the chairs across from him are empty.
Children race about around him 
and he watches as their attention dashes through him. 
He wears a heart necklace the red of a summer sunrise
and plays with it idly between his fingers. It can be split in two but it stays as one. 

Someday, I'll find someone to wear this with me 
He whispers, almost as if to console himself. 

A teenager sits meekly at a table 
the chairs across from him are empty. 
Other teens text and chat with their friends 
and he watches as one girl smiles at him with honey eyes. 
He wears a heart necklace the red of his blushing face 
and he plays with it idly between his fingers. It is split in two but both pieces are around his neck.

Someday, she may wear this with me 
He whispers, almost lost in his shy giggles.

A man sits proudly at a table 
the chair across from him sits a woman with honey eyes. 
Anyone else would have looked through him 
but he watches her attention locks in his direction.
He wears half a heart necklace the red of her dress 
and he plays with it idly between his fingers. It is split in two and one is around her neck. 

Someday, we will wear them when we both grow old 
He whispers, smiling as her honey eyes sparkle. 

An elder man sits lost at a table 
the chair across from him is empty.
Nurses on missions of their own race around him
And he watches their attention elude him. 
On the table top lies half a heart necklace the red of a lost passion 
and he watches it in tears. It is split in two and one passed away years before 

 
Someday, I will see her again and we will both be wearing it 
He whispers, staring at the heart he shared
and remembering the one he lost.