he lifted his head from work
when called cross the hall
and smiled halfway
at the jokes she told
she hid within
the shadow’s play
upon his walls
he longed for her laugh
took comfort in her
presence enough to
breathe in the world
she hid within
the shadow’s play
upon his walls
sirens wail serenely
as he sits alone
and thinks of her gone
singing her newer song
she hid within
the shadow’s play
upon his walls
(July 30, 2013)
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