You returned
in a crisp white shirt
waiting
with a body
soft pink and smiling
sat at the end of the bed
said no to a drink
helped itself up
took you
inner elbow said
you would be fine

I watched
both shadows
your laugh
at a distance is
different.

The room felt sorry
for the body
at the window
watching your inner elbow
in the hand of someone
soft pink and smiling

it curved
slight change in
curtain shadow
crossed my face
dark hand trying
to catch tears.

The bed said
nothing
about you being fine
square across the wall
still dead

at a distance
drinking
not helping myself up
the covers called
certain silence

recalled my palms
eclipsed by your crisp white shirt.