Visiting Hours

Each day at noon, 

I visit you,

Knocked on your door,

Fixed by the bolt,

Peered through the foggy windows, 

Blurred by thoughts.

For your light hasn’t lit since 2006,

When windows welcomed sunlight’s kiss,

And I walked your halls,

Singing melodies of memories to paint the walls.

Now I leave our wedding lilies at your door,

Telling tales of romance and lover’s lore,

Piercing holes in the brick,

Thinking one day we’d defeat the sick’

That held you hostage in the brain,

As the rotting memories stain.

For you can’t remember I,

Who asked you for your hand

In 1973 during the Troubles of our land,

When I dropped on one knee and pledged to stay,

“In sickness and in health” to this day.

The nurses told me to go home, 

To a hollow house of vacant rooms,

As visiting hours end was due,

But they are ignorant of our lover’s vows,

For going home was visiting you.