The Empty Body

The hands were yours, the arms were yours

But you were not there.

The eyes were yours, but they were closed and would not open.

The distant sun was there.

The moon poised on the hill's white shoulder was there.

The wind on Bedford Basin was there.

The palge green light of winter was there.

Your mouth was there,

But you were not there.

When somebody spoke, there was no answer,

Clouds came down

And buried the buildings along the water,

And the water was silent.

The gulls stared.

The years, the hours, that would not find you

Turned in the wrists of others.

There was no pain. It had gone.

There were no secrets. There was nothing to say.

The shade scattered its ashed.

The body was yours, but your were not there.

The air shivered against its skin.

The dark leaned into its eyes.

But you were not there.