when the moon shines and stars twinkle
i saw, no, i see
the wrinkles, the spots
the misted window to your soul

i heard, no, i hear
my name on your lips
a barely-there caress tickling my ears

i breathed in, no, i breathe in
waft of herbs and medicines
a medley, a cacophony
that paints your final essence
as vivid as the dawn breaking

there i am, awake
with the everlasting ache
so acutely felt –
in the existence of your non-existence