Pause

When distance
becomes terrible
when lengths
takes it through
past the width
of the ribs
past the beat
of the foundering heart
when eyes
stare blank
at the window, at the wall
at the cracks of sunlight
at the time that ticks
at the silence
and softness
at the wishes
to pause it

and keep it
keep you
keep it
safe
secret
warm
and forever
splitting time
by heartbeat
by blink
by flicker
by hand hold
in the dark
in the silence.