Clashing Aubades

At last, the darkness dissipates

as sun o'er yonder mountain breaks

and, timidly, the world awakes

as freedom beakons in plague's wake.

Too soon the sunlight parts the drapes

as the harsh, cruel hands of fate dictate

and nighttime's bliss is thus erased

as moon beams fade out, chased away.

Toward dawning warmth I tilt my face

as lonely pupils, shrinking, ache

and lo! my neighbors congregate

as once again the world awaits.

From under blankets my hand snakes

as cold seeps in, I reach for lace

and find you gone without a trace

as my heart stutters, then deflates.

I step outside, my great escape,

as songbirds trill with faith and grace

and chiseled stresses thus deflate

as dewy springtime winds hydrate.

I spring up, fearful, start to shake

as quiet drowns me in its lake

and 'round the furniture I race

as loneliness shoots through my veins.

Fresh earthen scents swirl, then abate

as fragile em'rald grasses quake

and footsteps mar this reclaimed space

as I emerge with heedless haste.

Stale notes of coffee I now chase

as if the past few weeks were fake

and never did we share a steak

as shadows grew and music played.

'Neath cornflow'r skies, a friend's embrace

as clouds, unnoticed, change their shapes

and we make plans to loose the brake

as commerce doth renew its pace.

Soft howling, broken, pawing gates

as I resume my default state

and wonder why I've been replaced

/again/ by work and dinner dates.