I longed for you to come downstairs,
but you did not come for ages,
so I went upstairs to find you.

I went from room to room,
and I would have missed you,
a lifeless heap hidden
under a thick blanket on the bed,
if it were not for your bare shoulder,
protruding from under the cover,
and the sight of your face,
ever so white and much older
than when you left me.

I sat down on the bed beside you.
I embraced you and cried,
"You must know by now,
I don't want to lose you."

Then I awoke -
in the tears I try to escape
by making light of life -
with my arms around
my cold Dutch wife.