Sweet Angel Dust

You came in as I was waking
and looked at me as if you knew
but didn't want to tell me
that someone perhaps told you

what I had hidden from you
to spare you undue pain
you had those eyes filled by
untilted tears which you tried to refrain

from toppling over the edges
and cascading onto my breast
as you called me 'sweet angel dust'
and told me just to rest

careful and slow were your fingers
across my face and brow
looking down in a containment
the way you looked, you knew somehow.

I hadn't been away that long
told you I'd been sleeping
but truth is I slept none at all
for this secret loss I was keeping

still you didn't tell me
just looked at me with sorrow
and said "my sweet angel dust,
there's a brighter day tomorrow".
1