This chill ...

She's trying to find the words again
to hear the whispers
to watch your lips move
to feel her heart race

She is met with only stillness in this place
it's darkness has crept into her
like the chill of a moonless night
it's quiet as pervasive
as the touches she can no longer feel
haunting her...
stripping her of warmth
robbing her of breath
looking inside
finding that child again
who looks up to find a starless sky
lying cold and bare
...for lack of your warmth

Washed in a shower of tears
the sum of days such as this one
the cold she could no longer keep at bay
the tearing of her heart
which in despair she surrenders to
to walk a path they labelled mercy
falling into arms which can comfort
only in her dreams
drawing the darkness around her
she let it creep inside

Did she become too hot to your touch
or do you fear the flame
burning from a source unknown to you
do you fear it will consume you
taking your last breath

And has she lost your love
or do you keep it warm for her
behind some private wall
a prisoner of your own making
kept from the warmth you desire

Have you lost your vision
or have you chosen not to see
as she grows cold
at the threshold of your door

Is her happiness apart from you
as you seek security
or does her pain resound in you
with finality...

~ Leila Aster