When the World Stood Still

The room held its breath.

The morning paused on the ledge.

Sunlight traced your name in gold across the window's edge.

My shadow learned to listen, quiet as a held back tide.

A trembling in the doorway where I almost stepped in.

Every heartbeat measured like a secret waiting to be told.

The hush before the thunder, the warmth before the cold.

And I could hear the echo of the life I left behind.