those sunken eyes rove blindly

over your preciousness, your innocence

those hateful tender spools of gossamer

clinging spider-tight

whispering, you steal away, to leave

forever and a day

to emptiness – and a crawling

sensation of dread

half-remembered screams and

nights spent groping for anything –

to remind you that you’re

still here, alive

and the flickering of velvet

candles almost conceals

your hope, your naked love

remaining in the golden flames

now there’s nothing left

for you to do but skulk

unborn amongst the draperies

where cobweb dreams encase...