In Spite of Candlelight

She senses
Something past me
A bit like hope
Cast off my shoulder
To the wall

X, I want to

O, she can

I see

Something airborne
A bit like revelation
The tarnished halo
Of her visit

X, tonight!

But O, she cannot

She feels

Something for herself
A bit like regret
Slipping off the heavy end of a sigh
When she goes


(From the book Selected Poems 2004-2007)