Loneliness can creep in, if you let it
Cold and wet, into your ribcage, chilling the heart
forgetting names and faces
favorite places
the sensation of embrace
because how could there be anything besides
this feeling

Loneliness can float in, if you let it
the day was long and hard
vocal chords fighting for dominance, sounding from different corners
as the frantic fingers race to type
numbers that no one will remember, or even read
Turn the key, though, and there it is
all curled up on the couch
peace and quiet
forgetting the menagerie of clicks beeps
and whirs with every breath

Loneliness surprises you for a second
being so warm and so cold
a current of the neurons
can determine the temperature