hiding

i am hiding from you
because i cannot hide from myself.
every little winter's night
follows me around town,
chained to my chest by mistake.

your name reminds me
of all the time i gave you,
believing it would never run out.
there's an empty space in my head,
where the good words used to live,
that i cannot escape.

i wish the spirits talked to me
like they used to,
but they've given their chorus
to prettier kids,
they sing into their clean ears,
while i wait in the dusty closet,
hoping for original portents.