Stay

Imagine you could
pause this spinning globe
in the glassy night.
Snowflakes suspended
on hidden strings as if
from the ceiling of your
very first classroom.

The fireglow shadows,
chatter and games
held quite still,
safe from partings,
pall-bearers and
cold tomorrows.

Would you stay?
In happy solitude,
your drumbeat pulse
and shivering breath,
the only sounds in the
vast expectant cosmos?

Would you stay?
Or, broken-hearted,
release the march of time
to all its bitter ends,
for one more chance
to hear the heaven
of her laugh?