alone

what do you call

the silence

you do not hear

anymore,

vases

you do not

need to fill

and the empty bed

you sleep in

because -

it belongs like that.

you are not alone.

the white ghost

of loneliness

holds your hand

gently.

you forget she is there

but you do not need

to seek out another.

you know her

and you have grown

to love her hard edges

and soft quiet

that wraps around you

like comfort.

she sings with you

in the night

and drinks coffee with you

in the mornings

and every afternoon

you wonder

when

(if)

you will ever

want to

leave her.