I lay in bed
Publication date: 2022-06-01
Title: I lay in bed
Type: Poetry
Publication: The Wise Owl
URL: https://www.thewiseowl.art/ochre-edition-archive-1
https://www.archives2thewiseowl.art/i-lay-in-bed
(If the original link is unavailable, you can read it below.)
I Lay in Bed
I lay in bed all night, counting
sheep and stars outside the window.
The moon had never been so dim.
In my wake dreams I saw the light
but I daren’t enter the room so bright.
I stayed in the dark as I could hope you were here.
I couldn’t cry or laugh, just stare
at the broken light-bulb that used
to watch over our dreams.
Grievance, tears and whispers now left the house
but the angry, heavy silence stayed, followed me to bed
like a block of ice where you used to lay your head.
I heard whispers dance around my tearless face,
pale like yours would be in winter. You’d know
what to say but now silence rests in your place.
I lay for hours, but the clock stayed still.
I recounted our time that was stolen early.
You died today, and I never said goodbye.
You never said you’d leave for work and die.
You were always careful, measured but the speed
caught up and sent you fast to your early grave.
I lay awake and count the days dispersed, buried
under shattered car parts scattered on the asphalt.