and are you listening

behind those veiling hands

splitting slicing redress

is all tatters, frenzied pains

in streams of sour

yr bathing in unrest

summer salt, yet motionless

and yr crying too

and i've come seeking

some sense of quiet beside you

in deep night weeping

in a smothered silent room

where you are sleeping

submissive as the tomb

light streaming in

before and beyond you

-Martyn Bates