…covers his steps
A midwinter night
empty of stars
frost sparkles
on black rooftops
on the cobblestone streets below
the dark settles deep within
in this empty moment in time
he stands alone
the pain in his eyes
deeper than the glassy pond
he stares with sadness
at an empty bench
and wonders at the frigid touch
of the cruel wind
that seems to steal his breath
and slow his thoughts
in this long, dark exile
it seems he dies a little
with every brittle leaf as it falls
forever fading from this life
he feels his aching
lonely heart
still beating
yet frozen
with his loss
he feels the night
is ever falling
like the silent
drifts of snow
now blowing in
he sighs
deep
and shuddering
and drags his gaze
from the empty bench
he shrugs
his shoulders
against the cold
and slowly
turns away
as the snow
like ashes
covers his steps
© Ann Bagnall 2014
