One pale nightlight
was all there was
to illuminate the life
behind four walls of pretense.
She told herself
having him come
home late was better
than being alone.
He told himself
having her asleep
when he unlocked the door
was better than seeing her tears.
Neither tried to cross the chasm
that lay between them.
They were just two people
sharing the same space
painted with silence.
©Susie Clevenger 2012
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