He feels something is wrong.
even while he sleeps
a distance he cannot cross
when his eyes are closed but open
when her body lies beside him
yet never within his reach.

He can feel her sadness through him,

while her silence grows heavy.

He doesn’t know what to do

with hands she will not hold,

with lips that turn away,

with a heart that stiffens at his touch.

At night he hears the whispers
when she thinks that he is dreaming,

her secret sighs when she believes he’s gone.
and the hidden lump beneath them.
As small as a secret, but sharp as a thorn,
a toy she turns to 
where his love cannot follow.

Why not him?

Why not the man who longs 
to give her everything?

He doesn’t understand.

why she cannot bear his touch.

She tends to herself in silence,

while he lies awake
pretending to sleep
aching over a love
 and lust
he cannot mend.