as a
writer/poet/painter
I treasure my solitude
as all artists must
if they are to produce
or perform
as in the case of musicians
for example
but afterwards there
is always loneliness
for many of us
who have no one
waiting for us when
we are finished
no one to share
our tears with
perhaps prompted
by a song that
brings back memories
of Vietnam
or the loss of a child
or to share our laughter
when we get lucky
& sometimes we do
get lucky &
the laughter is there
& then many of us
avoid the thought
of sleep
in an empty bed
no one to cuddle with
or feed our desire
for love or sex
which are both only
natural & needed
by all of us
tonight, once again,
I find myself afraid
to stop what I am doing
because I dread
the loneliness
I know awaits me
I wish you were here
o god how great
that would be.
