I Lay in Bed

A soulmate lost forever. The poet regrets the loss of a beloved companion and is saddened that he could not bid her a fitting farewell.  

I lay in bed all night, counting
sheep and stars outside the window.
The moon had never been so dim.

In my wake dreams I saw the light
but I daren’t enter the room so bright.
I stayed in the dark as I could hope you were here.

I couldn’t cry or laugh, just stare
at the broken light-bulb that used
to watch over our dreams.

Grievance, tears and whispers now left the house
but the angry, heavy silence stayed, followed me to bed
like a block of ice where you used to lay your head.

I heard whispers dance around my tearless face,
pale like yours would be in winter. You’d know
what to say but now silence rests in your place.

I lay for hours, but the clock stayed still.
I recounted our time that was stolen early.
You died today, and I never said goodbye.

You never said you’d leave for work and die.
You were always careful, measured but the speed
caught up and sent you fast to your early grave.

I lay awake and count the days dispersed, buried
under shattered car parts scattered on the asphalt.