You withdrew from me
like a crimson thread of fiery pain

They tell you when you are young
that water quenches fire
Such liers
So many tears
yet still the flames dance on

In bed that night my sleep wandered
hand in hand with my sorrow
Your light lured me to leave
the shadows
my sole sanctuary

A lovely couple they are
pirouetting gracefully
to the silent sounds of spectral songs
around a fallow fountain

With their arms around each other
they seemed total strangers
who did not require more
than a pond-like acquaintance
He kissed her hand
she curtsied
darkness returned

We could never dance like them
I lacked the substance to enfold you in my embrace
Shadows have no substance
only form

You can see me but you cannot
touch my surface
caress me
grant me the illusion of reality.