Of Time and Twin Afflictions

Perhaps your heart is broken, just like mine,
And loneliness creeps round your nightly bed,
While mine has lain so long all drenched in shadow.

If in my darkest hour, you fled away,
I bear no grudge, for life has bent you low
Beneath a burden none could expiate.

Your lifelong darkness brought me once to tears,
For you, my dearest friend, were crying out,
Unknowingly, for some unheeded rescue.

My daily life I gladly sacrificed,
And to your side I ran without a pause,
So that your tears could have an audience.

And, though in time, you drew me down to join you
In darkness I could not anticipate,
I never left your side, my fallen star.

And, though my long affliction you observed,
You swore that you would never leave my side,
As I, in times gone by, had not left yours.

And though, in time, you fled and left me crying
Alone, one night, upon my bedroom floor,
And cast aside my every lamentation,

I shall not hate you, now or evermore,
And if, some day, you glance in my direction,
Maybe I will see, and smile, contented.

9/10/18