Closed Eyes Poem by Terry Collett

If you close your eyes
you can see him, can see
how he was that last time,
that way he had of saying

things as if they mattered,
as if his opinion was all that
was the case. You keep your
eyes closed and try and push

images of him away from
your mind, push anything
about him away from you,
his looks, his words, the smell

of him. Relax, the councillor
had said, close your eyes in
a place of safety with no noise.
You lie on the bed in the cheap

hotel; lie there relaxed as you
can be, letting your muscles
become rested. The landlady
downstairs had been welcoming;

had offered to carry your bag upstairs.
You hear birdsong, hear the sound
of soft voices along the hall, smell
mustiness. The bed is comfortable;

the pillows hold your head. If you
open your eyes you fear he might
be there; might have followed you
despite every effort on your part

to avoid anywhere he might know.
Within you you sense a warming glow.