Love Unreceived
by Odin Roark

Darkness had become his solace.

He sat.
He waited.
He knew a woman would never knock at his door.

Roses languished atop the coffee table
radiating ghost like pleas to be caressed,
to be fondled, to feel a deep breath
that would embrace their fragrance.

Time passed,
and passed again.

His final bouquet lay given,
but received by no one.
A candle never lit,
snap-shot never taken,
hoped-for-but-never-happening night
remained his delusional torment.

Expectations laid to rest,
time suddenly ceased,
silence became eternal.

The open 8th floor window
welcomed harbor fog to shroud his room,
while rising from the street,
urgent sirens came to a halt,
shocked pedestrian stood their distance,
faces lingered skyward,
astonished voices muttered,
“He just…”