this bed feels so cold
with only
one body
sleeping,

this body feels so old
with only
one heart
beating,

this heart feels sick,
so ill
with emptiness
and regret

a thousand thoughts
falling like
shards of glass,

falling in a place
where time
does not pass,

how long
does it take a man
to die of loneliness?

to die of longing
to be truly loved
even just once

even if it be
just for a second
or two,

just to hold on
to something
precious
and true,

to hold on
to a heart
other than
my own,

to melt a heart
made of
winter
and stone.

how long
does it take a man
to die of loneliness?

a lifetime,
it seems.