in the midst
of going crazy –
are words I strain to hear
sometimes I sit the night
and wait the want
to disappear

reminded of the places
still I keep
when day is gone
lest I forget when moments
came for me –
before the dawn

as one I knew
the same as love –
and times for days
the pages read –
when told of ways you walked
and miles to carry

pen and ink
were given life
a refuge from surrender
to shadows dark –
for there your light
was known

reminding me
of certain hope
much more than you
could utter –
whispers of belonging
touched by more
than rule and rhyme

word and still
forget me never
held between the lines –
no matter now
the distance passed –
as spirit folds around

revealing truth
we’ve yet to know –
in wandering to find
the paths we cleared
another day
are never left behind

for in my heart
and here – my soul –
as traces you remain
written by the trust
you swore
to give –

ageless
as were letters
carved into the bark –
are pages sent
to save me
tethered by your heart