A Serious Man

Don’t make me a stranger
in this, your closing hours of need
my ever so serious man
with the melancholy smile.

I know you exist painted with deaths extinction
written in those soft brown eyes.
Yet when
this night taps you on the shoulder
searching out each thought
leaving trails of ice-cold fear
can you honestly say, that you would choose
 to be alone -

 listening to the clock
chiming down each hour.
When you could, but for the want of asking
have me, so very, very close.

You say nothing yet I know by your stillness
that you would rather the room be empty

inwardly pleading that I stop cradling your hand.

So I shall take my final goodbye, my serious man
for you leave me with nothing else to give

outside this unhappiness of my going…