AFTER THE DOOR CLOSED

You left, and silence took your place, It settled slowly in each space. The cup you used, the chair you knew, Still seemed to wait and look for you. The morning came without its light, The sun was there, but not as bright. The birds still sang outside the wall, Yet I could hardly hear their call. I tried to hide behind the day, To work, to smile, to look away. But every road and every song Reminded me that you were gone. Then weeks began to calm the air, The room no longer felt so bare. I learned that tears may leave a trace, But pain need not remain in place. The heart you left was hurt, not weak, It slowly found the words to speak. It will not beat the way it knew, But it will beat—and live—anew.