ALONE, TOGETHER br br We rode along beside us, br going nowhere once again. br It was dark just like before, br and the empty place between us, br like the empty space inside, br still filled to overflowing br with sad tears we both had cried br alone, together. br br And we moved full empty faces as before. br gazing sideways at each other br hiding loving empty eyes, br breathing heavy empty sighs, br sharing time and place and motion, br searching how to hide br the feelings that had died, br feeling nothingness inside. br Again, br alone, together. br br Alone. br Together. br To the home we almost loved in, br ‘thru the doorway, nothing spoken, br sharing separate rooms unmentioned. br We could not fill that space: br Emptiness is nothing, in every empty place. br br We could not hide the fullness br of our empty love inside, br of the vacant gaping wholeness br of the love each was denied br alone, together. br br Empty shadows brushed the walls, br vague reflections of the past, br twisting faces grinned tomorrow – br lovely echoes died at last. br br And our tears still flowed together as we ran br alone, together, br standing fast. br br ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ br Rhey W. Hedges, July 8,1978br br RHEY W.