and i saw faces before me
blurred out of recognition, coming closer
their bodies exposed, bearing only skin
blue-grey and hanging off their bones.
tell me that's another nightmare
tell me that it's the first time, then.
lost wives and sons and daughters,
a single man giving up his home.
sometimes the pain is shared between us,
spread out to those unknown.
i've felt their aches and known their hopes,
without knowing why.