A Walk on the Beach

"Are you lonely here with me?"
I ask your curled form before the fire
and you but gaze up resignedly
'cross books half-read and carcasses of wine.

I flee your curled form before the fire
breaching the stillness settled like a sheet
'cross books half-read and carcasses of wine,
flotsam scattered on an empty beach.

Breaching the stillness settled like a sheet
we descend from cozy cabin into winter's rhyme:
flotsam's scattered on an empty beach
below seagulls croaking crooked chimes.

We descend from cozy cabin into winter's rhyme:
waves whispering secrets of the deep
below seagulls croaking crooked chimes
and regal eagles perched 'top cedar trees.

Waves whispering secrets of the deep
an endless note played on nature's lyre
to regal eagles perched 'top cedar trees
against the moon drawn pale and tired.

An endless note unplayed on nature's lyre
is the silence of loons adrift in aimless peace
below the moon drawn pale and tired
as we walk beside the breathing sea.

The silence of loons adrift in aimless peace
brings me thoughts of what's transpired
as we walk beside the breathing sea
I feel the distance we've acquired.

Haunting thoughts of what's transpired
lurk behind and slowly creep
to show the distance we've acquired
and all I want to do is sleep.

You lurk behind and slowly creep
happy to have been, dreading the climb,
and all I want to do is sleep
as we return to cozy cabin from nature's rhyme.

Happy to have been, dreading the climb
I shed the runners from my feet
as we return to cozy cabin from nature's rhyme
I hang upon the clock your leash.

I shed the runners from my feet
seeing it's taken ten minutes' time
I hang upon the clock your leash
reminded of promises I've let slide.

Having taken ten minutes' time
done is your day's sole activity
I'm reminded of promises I've let slide
as you settle back into stillness heavy.

Done is your day's sole activity
as I dress in funeral work attire
you settle back into stillness heavy
curling your fur form before the fire.

I dress in funeral work attire
and you but gaze up resignedly,
your fur form curled before the fire,
I ask, "Are you lonely here with me?"