things end,
like love affairs
and lifetimes.
good times.
bad times.

things end,
no matter
how we try– 
or don’t try–
things end.

things end,
quickly or slowly,
way too soon, or 
much too late–
things end.

things end,
whether loved
or hated,
good or evil–
things end.

things end,
for a story is
not a story
until it ends
and a story
must end
before the next
may begin–

things end.