Love Song

IN the dark house I cannot sleep, hearing
The surface cars grind by a block away
Under the thick, tenacious stars; fearing
That night’s cold fever will not yield to day.
Into my burning bed calm will not enter.
My slack arms twist, and clasp eternity.
I am the stage of nightmare, and the center
Of all the blank, hard loneliness to be.

And you in the next room.
If I could say
Death has already traced our bones with lime
And eats us toward the dark that has no day —
That only love can lock us here in time —
Would you believe? Before our hearts wear thin
Open the shuddering door.
Oh, love, come in.