an abysmal and lonely existence

the night was soft and lara croft

          was dancing on the screen

she fell asleep on satin sheets

          until a midnight dream

had caused her fright and several lights

          to switch on by her hand

she thought someone was in her bed

          and whispering commands

 

but all alone she checked her phone

          and turned off the t.v.

the dream was gone and with the dawn

          had left her memory

but the next night, eyes closed tight

          and sleep had not yet come

she felt the presence in her bed

          and on her neck a tongue

 

she fled the bed, embraced the dread

          and turned on every light

but no one lay upon her sheets

          or anywhere in sight

she took a sleeping pill or two

          and finally feel asleep

but when she woke she still could hear

          a woman gently weep

 

the next night when she went to bed

          she left on all the lights

but all the same the presence came

          and whispered a goodnight

the presence spooned her in the sheets

          and wrapped her arm around

the presence’s movements were complete

          when its free hand was found

 

groping the woman’s supple breasts

          found on her naked form

although the presence was unseen

          its body was quite warm

and she could feel the presence’s breasts

          pressed firm into her back

she knew this ghost was not at rest

          nor threatening attack

then words were heard like thoughts transferred

          of loneliness in death

“and just like you i’m lonely too”

          she whispered with a breath

and turned to face the presence who

          was young and in a slip

and left their loneliness behind

          when they joined both their lips

 

***