Loneliness

Her mind is where his mind is.

The feelings mirror the others’.

Never is their understanding greater.

Never could more help less.

The roof and walls are traps.

They close in like iron clamps.

The mind fills while the heart empties.

Never could empty be heavier.

Loneliness echoes in its cave.

There is no answer that saves.

The voice she hears is only her own.

She is here, sad and all alone.

Modern technology is a bridge.

Out of sight is not out of mind.

Yet being reunited is over the next ridge.

Love is anything but kind.

She understands the calling.

She is duty-bound, all giving.

It does not lessen the ache in her heart.

It stays secluded in the dark.

She is in isolation just now.

She is not alone but very lonely.

The face of her son is that of her man.

In her joy is pain and longing.

Her arms hold a pillow close.

What she wants remains remote.

The thing she clutches in the night is soft.

A blanket replaces his strong back.

Night descends, as does anxiety.

Tears run down from closed eyes.

The strength of sunshine fades into the sunset.

She faces the day but fears the night.

His days and nights are filled.

He loves duty, is wed to thrills.

His mind is occupied in that far away land.

His refuge is fear of some kind.

She looks to the horizon.

There is nobody there…

The horizon she seeks is too far away

Not one…nobody… only mirages.

She wishes this were a movie.

A blurry figure would be seen.

It would draw large and near, arms reaching.

The arms would hold her soon.

Another night passes behind.

She awakens alone, tears dried.

She wishes she had slept more than she cried.

She has to give another day a try.

Loneliness is often a monster.

It makes a mind feel captured.

Her kind of war is bloodless but has its pain.

She is loved, yet remains alone.

There are things much worse.

Being alone can be a good course.

It has been said lonely in a crowd is a curse.

Whatever…loneliness is also a war.

Mike Mullins, 7/1/08