Last night
I heard you leave
By the back door
12:22 AM
And the neighbour’s dog was barking

You left your jacket behind
I thought
Of calling you back
And sliding the sleeves up your shoulders
Cracking your icy demeanour
With the warmth of my gesture
And making you smile

I heard you
Muffled laughter
An audible kiss on her cheek
The quiet purr of an expensive car
Crunching gravel
Rolling up the driveway

I ran my fingers
Through your tangled bed sheets
I can’t remember
The last time
You slept well with me

I pulled the covers over my head
Drowning in your warmth
In this darkness
You were still here with me
Your limbs
Intertwined with mine

Your photo
On my bedside table
Your coffee mug
Next to mine
The dishes
Still in the sink
It was your turn to wash them
But I let it slide

I got up and put your slippers on
My toes crinkling with the feel of you
I put on your sweater
And I took your torch
And I grabbed your lighter
(I never told you but
I hated that you smoked)

Last night
I heard you come back
3:45 AM
And police sirens were shrieking

The house
And my heart
Were aflame
Drowning in your warmth

I heard you cry out my name
I heard you cry
I heard you
I heard you
I heard you

(But I don’t think you heard me)