…and lies in wait

I have felt your presence
heard your gently beating heart
age after age, the space between us
measured out, distant miles that I will never travel
stumbling along the ever-eroding edge of this familiar cliff
with the wind in my face, I look to the horizon
seeking a distraction, as year after year
I die a little with every disappointment
yet need no other, a contradiction to the end
here, beyond all forgetting it has led to this
love becomes patient and lies in wait
day after day, in total surrender
© Ann Bagnall