The night was ominous with its promise.

Its sounds muted as if life had paused.

The receiver draped by its cord in my hand.

As I sat in that emotion between tears and lamentation.

It wasn’t pain, it was something more.

Not enough to satisfy, not immediately resonate.

The void was enveloping,

Creeping like shadow over my soul.

Each cherished moment slipping away in defense.

One tear trickled down a cheek followed by a ragged gasp.

The warmth of time together.

Soft flesh pressed against…the memory slips.

I stand at the edge of my heart…her heart, our heart.

She lays now not with me in bed, but…

A color so pale it cannot recall life.

Eyes shut against the last moments

Sealed against seeing what will never be again.

At the edge of my heart.

The ache of absence erases all that was

Those moments in bed feeling the vitality of life.

Hands tracing the treasure of…can I say it?

Once was and no longer is, but…

It is…At the edge of my heart.