A Long Dark Night

It’s dark tonight.

Usually is, when I’m

Around you.

No, wait;

That was harsh,

Wasn’t it?

Well….I suppose

It’s about as harsh

As when you leave me

To do other things.

You never seem

To stick to the plans

You make with me.

You know, I wish

I could say these things.

There are many, many

Things I could say.

Things like:

“You’re forgiven.”

“You fool.”

“You seriously believed

“I meant it when I said

“It would be okay?”

So many words

That hide at the back

Of my throat–

Terrified

To be spoke.

I know they

Would wound–

Either him,

Or I.

Which one of us?

Beside the point.

I’m tired of pretending

That I’m willing to choose

Your joy

Over mine

Anymore.

It’s been far

Too many

Long dark nights

For me

To still

Care.

Surrounded By Books

Surrounded by books–

The smell of pages and dreams

Drifting through the air;

Breathing quietly,

It feels so serene

To know there’s so many

Hearts

Beating around me.

Hearts filled with courage and grief,

With love and pain–

Eyes that traverse

Time and space,

Just to look

Right back at me.

I can feel no pain here,

Surrounded by books.

They defend me from

War and grief,

And they always

Soothe me

Even as they

Isolate me.

I am happiest here,

In silence and love.

Here, there are people.

Old friends, and new friends–

The children of writers

And daydreamers.