Lost
My body’s house has many rooms and you, my love,
rule over them all. Your shadow dances on walls.
in mirrors, and your breath brushes my cheek
every time I open doors or windows. That silly cat
looks for you and hisses when I bring her kibble.
I walk from room to room, but when I seek you,
you are no longer here. I knock, nothing opens.
Afraid, sometimes, to enter a room, I know
you are in there. I hear your footsteps on the stair.
Sometimes your voice’s echo breaks the silence.
You whisper my name in the same old way.
How can it be true, my love, that you have gone,
that you have left me here alone? I count the hours,
the days, embracing dust motes to find no solace
in salacious sunbeams and my occasional dreams.
Comment: A Golden Oldie. I wrote this some time ago while my beloved was in Ottawa visiting our daughter. Separation is such a strange thing: an absence, yes, but also a presence in the tiniest details and the most unsuspected moments. And then there is the dream world where things join together, and then fall apart. This poem has so much more meaning in a time like this when so many people are separated and can no longer be together. Time … I have written about it before … passes. Hopefully, families and friends will be reunited once more, the sooner the better. In the meantime, we’ll meet again, don’t know where, don’t know when. Chadwch eich fydd / Keep your faith, as St. David, the patron saint of Wales is said to have said circa 500, byddwch lawen / be joyful, and gwnewch y pethau bychain mewn bwywd / do the little things in life.
rogermoorepoet 
Beautifully poignant, Roger. A deeply meaningful and captivating write. Thank you for sharing.
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Thank you, Katy. My beloved (of 54 years together) is called Clare and there are several Katies in my Welsh-Irish family: a name that resonates. I have been digging out some older poems, Golden Oldies, ones that are suited to these troublesome times. Thank you for visiting and commenting, and keep well, keep safe, and keep in touch. Best wishes.
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That is absolutely beautiful, Roger. My husband and I will be celebrating 5 years next month. Your love story is so inspiring. I also have many Claire’s in my Irish family 🙂 Take care!
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Celebrate each anniversary: they are all special!
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Our Hanson (family cat) is not supposed to go outdoors, but he sometimes sneaks out and I am fretting until he returns and wants back inside. As well, I was 90 years old in March and daily events are very important to me. We do not have many relatives here in Fredericton and so even if we are able tp be close to a family we don’t have anyone close except for a granddaughter who lives on the northside and has two very young children and also has quite a number of family members (husband’s side) to be close to. But every day’s a truly great gift.
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Breathtaking. ❤
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Thank you for this delightful comment.
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