in the strangling moments before waking
I have been hunted by the shadows
whispering beside the bed
premonitions borrowed
until my eyes adjusted to the light
with a pencil I have drawn pain
in the eyes of others
she who could see through you
while I erased the darkness
defining our contrast
I have stared down loneliness
peering out from the corners
I have stood close beside you
smothered and alone
I have walked a path
tracing the terrible ascent
from beneath the foundation
I have retraced our steps,
finding a way back to sunlight
before waking to a blackened ceiling
why could you not hear me
over the whispers of shadows
you writhed in the moments before waking
my warmth was out of reach
while you were hiding from the sun
© 1.24.2016 heather brager
