Painting: “Separation” by Edvard Munch 1898, oil on canvas.
A smoldering heart weakens,
hunkers him down gut deep
inside separation’s burn.
When distance collects between
a lover’s love and loving hand,
the road span widened, dear doves,
a brooding beat blackens fear,
rends aortic drums split sideways,
burst blood pooled and anchoring.
Longing’s weight drowns victims,
pins their boots to muddy bog,
only sludge and sink might free
the ache, loosed from bony cages
as echo moans sorrow’s sympathy.
Severance maims this lover’s heart,
rendering touch crumpled amputee:
grip-shattered, shivering despair.
In the gaze of the other 