In the grate, the shivering flames
hungrily wrap their lips around logs
The boards above me creek
my wife haunting somewhere
the baby’s hands reach out
wave before its sleeping eyes
The wind is howling…
The smiles on our faces as we galloped down the aisle
making sense of scattered photograph moments
but I can’t remember why
can’t think of anything but waiting
and doing everything I can
patiently hoping
for you to get well
The wind is howling…
You’ve been asking me to stay close
you’ve been praying ‘don’t change your state’
and you’ve been crying, screaming, aching
at 4am
to just feel well again
The wind is howling…
And with the tiny heart
that beats beside me now
I’m filled with a strength of love I have never known
and yet I feel
so alone
The wind is howling…
[2018]
Thanks for reading.
Note: Written for a new father struggling with loneliness.
The Lighthouse 