Strident Silence

When I wake up in the morning,

the sun is shining,

the sky is sparkling,

the birds are warbling,

but your sleepy smile is missing.

When I get dressed for work,

the clothes are matching,

the wrinkles are ironed,

the shoes are aligned,

but your ties and blue suits are missing.

When I eat my hasty breakfast,

the eggs are scrambled,

the bacon is sizzling,

the newspaper is unfolded,

but your chipped blue mug is missing.

When I relax after dinner,

the rocking chair is creaking,

the soft light bulb is glowing,

the novel I have is engrossing,

but your yelling at the T.V. is missing.

And when I lay down to sleep,

the stars are twinkling,

the moon is illuminating,

the covers are comforting,

but your dreaming face is missing.