She broke last night.
The shattering was soft;
The aftermath was harder,
Though unseen –

And all that intellect can bring,
Was to but no avail;
There was no other’s touch
To contravene

The waves of sensate emptiness
Around her in that place:
The echoes of a missed
And present good —

The shadows seem to feel for her;
As do her friends – and cat –
She broke last night; but then
She knew she would