False Dawn

False dawn in the hallway

False dawn in the hallway You lit the room but never entered

I saw the yellow line beneath the heavy door

I felt the cold floorboards as I stood up

I touched the glass of water resting on the stand

I knew the clock read four seventeen

False dawn in the hallway

False dawn in the hallway You lit the room but never entered

I heard the quiet footsteps stopping in the dark

I saw your winter coat behind the wooden door

I waited through the seasons for this single night

I knew this conversation had been months delayed

I thought you would speak when the footsteps stopped I thought you

would speak when the handle turned I thought you would speak when

the clock struck four I thought you would speak when the curtains

moved I thought you would speak when the light went pale I

thought you would speak when the silence grew

I mistook preparation for arrival The door stayed closed because neither of

us moved

False dawn in the hallway

False dawn in the hallway

You lit the room but never entered I opened the door before

the morning did

The hallway was empty The light was still real