A chilled breath settling on my shoulders
unease drifting through my heart
and the shadow dimming my delight
a bruising thumbprint on my soul

My joy slipping away in silence
seeping through the aching cracks
as vibrance fades to the barest thrum
of a damaged heart that breaks

Silent reaper wields a gentle hand
where his touch is sure and soft
laying darkest shadow in his wake
with a whispered dark caress

As much as I yearn to hold on fast
though my heart’s an arid husk
beneath the weight of my foreboding
I surrender, because I must