Upon my cat’s ears…
I tell her all my feelings.
I tell her I miss you.
I tell her I lost a best friend.
I tell her my heart is still aching.
I tell her to go to bed.

She paces back and forth for a moment, and then settles on a blanket beside me.

I tell my cat to find you.
She’s the only one that hears.

The notes and chords that you strummed across my heart strings have turned to flesh-eating arrows. The punctures go so deep that my blood slowly drips down my side. Welcome to my slow death.

The grenade you hold is a lie. There is no promise of a swift end when you pull the pin. You are a hunter whose aim only causes suffering. Luring me to your circle, and leaving me to die.

There is no sweet ecstasy of release.

It’s the night time that brings the grief.

I have to acknowledge that you are dead.
I’ve buried you. Put the wreath on the casket. Lowered you into the dirt. Watched the fresh red roses at your grave turn into dried up petals.

Yet sadly, you’re in the same town as me. Walking.
Breathing.

It’s the night time that brings the grief.