Witness

You are my witness quietly
I walk away repeatedly
to silence, never meaning

more than when breathing
binds my chest, this pain
is better held than shared.

Light withdrawing each day
sun is leaving, leaving these cold
winds blowing down the cove

where water touches shore
the ache of living sadly near
where heaven comes to ground.

I cannot see beyond the dusk
to more than folding into it
flinching or withdrawing

neither feels like bravery
nor solace before winter please
still love me when it comes.