I just extinguished 
the last lantern 
if you return 
you will have 
to find your 
way in darkness 
and by touch
for too have 
I gone silent 
this missing that
you were is
no longer are
for my windows 
too are shuttered
my door locked 
your way here 
and not home 
no longer invites
but instead accepts 
only come back 
if you will
and stay away 
if you must 
for that place 
is no longer 

I am absent 
of things and 
of people too
I’ve let go 
of those and 
almost everything else 
standing now alone 
on some plain
some other plane
of my existence 
my soul free
having become light 
I live to 
shine in darkness 
and only attract 
the weary traveler 
for my home 
and my heart
are comfort places 
for those very 
vulnerable few who 
wish to dare

So few
so less
not many 
or much 
at all
barren limbs
in summer 
lend very 
little shade 
leaving things 
to shine 
or dry
of no 
matter to
the tree 
and truth 

When you left
the first time 
it was punishment 
penance of sorts
left to pray
begging for mercy 
and an end 
when you left
this last time 
it was forgiveness 
peace of sorts
my being paroled 
of the crimes
from the jail 
of you and 
into the world 
of my freedom 
still a criminal 
marked as such 

This alone 
is robust 
it’s abundant 
and spacious 
it’s space 
not confined 
but confident 
more of
me most
this alone 
is quiet 
it’s prosperous 
and proper 
it’s mannered
not rude 
but polite 
all around 
me now