Your Voice
By John Herlihy

The voice captures it all,
Leaving the listener in thrall.
The sound wraps us all around,
Dressed quietly with inner sound.

Your voice at once unique and raw,
As beautiful as anything I ever saw.
When I heard your words utter sound,
My heart melted, then began to pound.

Your voice like the tinkling of bells,
Hearing your sound, my heart swells.
Its tremor carries emotion digging deep;
Memory becomes a dream as in our sleep.

I would give anything to hear
Your universe once more near.
Your voice just one more time,
Your emotions here next to mine.

I once had a voice that gently soared.
When I sang solo, the audience roared.
I poured out my heart thru my voice;
My lilting tenor found a way to rejoice.

Now I whisper sweet nothings to the wind;
Cut as little paper birds, in my heart pinned.
Your voice has a sad vibrato humming a dirge;
Now a fading memory in my mind, submerged.

Your voice will resound day after day;
Your spirit lives on, my heart to waylay.
When I am on my own and seeking solace,
I remember your voice as pure and flawless.