A depth without flesh resting in my chest, bleak
Without desire. Cheerless yet comforting,
Open to sorrow, accepting shadow, quiet.
An ebony man uncurls, unfurls and stares with cobalt eyes
Right into me. No genteel sheet hides his skin
No gauze shades his eyes. Blue black he gleams,
A twisted smile twitching his mouth’s corner.
Flat as a new soul, he says nothing
But bears a mountain of mourning.
Shadows have collected, coalesced and packed weight
Into his muscles, strong and potent, flexed to hold
His many losses. He does not cry, but his gaze burns
Bright blue like the sky.
