I heard someone crying into the night
sobbing as though her heart was breaking
a pretty red heart bit in two

for a minute I thought it was me

It was a choking sort of cry
as if the pain was forcing itself down an unwilling throat
her body retching and rejecting but unable to resist

I wanted to go to her, that stranger
whom I knew so well inside
and throw my arms around her
comfort her

I lacked the courage
to save even myself

so I stood
ineffectual
outside the door

gardenias are blooming in the night
and the moon is neatly cut in half

the cry fades
then only whispers
sighs
and is gone

I tremble a bit
because the world is silent now
but I still feel the tears
of the lonely heart