Stone against stone,
Rough and grating, heavy weight -
A burden it is, a burden wearing away,
Leaving traces; a slow, painful movement,
Then a lurch forward as it gives way…

A thin strip of sunlight rushes in,
And a cool breeze, just a warning of what’s to come,
A long, cold winter to spend alone,
Isolated and apart from all I’ve known -
Even when we’re together we are so distant now,

So distant and cold,
My words do not penetrate your mind,
My hand on your arm like a vapor,
My lips against your lips nothing…
Nothing…

Nothing but a cold spot you warm with your fingertips.
And my screams, my screeches -
Ahh, yes, you turn your head toward me,
But you do not respond, the look in your eyes bleak,
Your hands shoved in your overcoat,

Your head down as you duck back through,
Out into the dew painted Autumn eve,
Back to the house we used to share,
The lovely white pillars gleaming bright in the twilight,
Our dog running toward you, barking…

Running past you now, running at me,
Barking at me, teeth bared, lips drooling,
And you turn again, back toward me,
Your eyes lingering on the door, not seeing me,
But I see you…

Oh, I see you,
The tears dripping off the tip of your nose
As you call the dog back…he’s yours now,
All yours…and the house, once our home,
Seems to loose a bit of luster as the sun sets,
As you turn your back and walk away,

Leaving me in this cold stone home,
Isolated here in my white silk,
Alone in this place where I’m never warm,
Where the sun only greets me in thin slivers of light
When you push the heavy door open,
When you push aside the lid and stare down at me
In my crypt…

Dena L Moore
April 14, 2007