He wrings his hands
Against the deepening ghosts of midnight
Frustrated at the slumber that evades
And light that he knows creeps his way
She should be beside him
Safely crushed below his love and crumpled blankets
Not reduced to the ashes
In that box he cannot bring himself to hold
That which stole her from his arms
Was a beast she fought ferociously
But even her rage in light was not enough
To keep her from the embers of the fire
Sitting on the edge of their bed
Everywhere his gaze fixes
A reminder of the home they built together
Feasts of color that spoke to her
Now starve him without her there
To say that she is missed by him
Is to understate the depth of his misery
Surrounded now by the midnight that owns him
And her ghost that fails to haunt him
To have another night beside her
Will remain his heart’s desire