This is an old poem. I have never been satisfied with the last line.?

Question:Can you help?

The End of an Affair?

A favourite faded cushion
rests on a spindly green chair,
its back against the white-washed wall.
As cascades of bougainvillaea
mingle with pale leaves and potted plants
eager to overflow the vacant space.
A half-empty cup
The face-down open book
Echo of a step upon the stair?
Memories she could no longer face,
so she’s not there.

The garden lies abandoned now
growing lustily, uncontrolled and wild.
As boisterous as a neglected
and attention-seeking child.
A bramble’s sneaky tendril
embraces more placid stems
caressing and softly stroking
(secretly neck-choking).
No-one cares enough to hamper
its rambling illicit games,
since she’s not there.

Down the path.
Just by the lime tree.
Behind the lean-to in the shade,
almost hidden by the water-butt,
a secret patch of pansies form a bright
miniature parade.
Hemmed in by whispering grasses
and crowded jostling ferns
they display their charms expectantly.
They suspect she will return.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Can you help?

The End of an Affair?

A favourite faded cushion
rests on a spindly green chair,
its back against the white-washed wall.
As cascades of bougainvillaea
mingle with pale leaves and potted plants
eager to overflow the vacant space.
A half-empty cup
The face-down open book
Echo of a step upon the stair?
Memories she could no longer face,
so she’s not there.

The garden lies abandoned now
growing lustily, uncontrolled and wild.
As boisterous as a neglected
and attention-seeking child.
A bramble’s sneaky tendril
embraces more placid stems
caressing and softly stroking
(secretly neck-choking).
No-one cares enough to hamper
its rambling illicit games,
since she’s not there.

Down the path.
Just by the lime tree.
Behind the lean-to in the shade,
almost hidden by the water-butt,
a secret patch of pansies form a bright
miniature parade.
Hemmed in by whispering grasses
and crowded jostling ferns
they display their charms expectantly.
They suspect she will return.

"Awaiting her return".

how about "she will be there" as the last line? picks up the repetition you have going, and rhymes with the title too. i also think the short 4 syllable line makes a good closure, a good sound for an ending.

btw love some of your nature images. good stuff.

Delete the final line and end on "display their charms expectantly."

You might also consider deleting the refrain line: "xxx she’s not there" so all the stanzas become the same length,

Like the world, she will turn,
and return.

"Hoping she will return."

Hemmed in by whispering grasses
and crowded jostling ferns
they display their charms expectantly.
Hoping she will return.

Beautiful poem

They feel she will return

Anticipating her return

and anticipate her return

Hoping for her return.

"awaiting her return" as the last line. u don't know if it would fit or not but i kinda like the way it sounds. anyway the rest of the poem is good.