It’s overwhelming reality

which burdens the soul

Wearies the body

and strains the heart

shadows of what once was

fading in the wake of new light

It feels like heresy

like contempt

a vain attempt at comfort

at compromise

And yet

in the still of the night

in the breeze through my window

I hear your voice

sometimes I think it’s nothing more than an apparition

but I know it’s you

it’s always you

Urging me to continue

to strive where you never did

and tonight—

tonight I’ll make that decision

To live like you never could