Night looms loneliness

over my barren bed. I am

lost in the books

languishing across the

bed. They are

my companion

through the endless

evenings while my

beloved drives

throughout the country.

My cat lays

beside me. She purrs

and coos. My confidante

through the solitary

twilight. My fluffy

child, filling in for those

who’ve grown up, moved on.

All of them together

demanding my attention,

offering themselves,

consuming my time,

taking focus off

of my empty nest.

October 2014