Endings
come after
and before
and after
and then there is the space
beside the hospital bed
between them.
And in this space
there are words, and none,
places of soft longing
and no safety
and remembering sweetness.
So I frame my mouth
into a circle
to send you a puff of breath
across the miles;
if the candle flickers
you will know that it was me
reminding you of your light,
the way you help others
sink bravely into their fear
so it can warm them.