This Loneliness That Lingers Poem by Denis Martindale

This loneliness that lingers
Persists because of you,
Denied caressing fingers
Or sweet lips oh so true,
Devoid of love's fond memories
And hopes and dreams now lost,
Behold the man's cold agonies
That make him count the cost...

This loneliness grows hard as stone,
Yet lacks a diamond's worth,
It profits no man on his own
As he lives on this Earth...
To live alone, to stand apart,
Reflect on souvenirs,
To suffer loss each empty heart
Must feel to bring forth tears...

This loneliness turns blood to ice,
Which freezes all inside,
To make this pilgrim soul think twice
Now it's been crucified...
Small comfort, then, your love has wrought
Within its shortlived grace,
A worthless gift so cheaply bought,
Despite your noble face...

This loneliness torments me so,
It festers in the mind,
It overwhelms all thoughts that grow
That still seek to be kind...
That's why I'll never love again
Like when I first loved you,
For now I'm just like lonely men
Who don't know what they'll do...

This loneliness, can it be healed?
Can it be rooted out?
Can it be crushed, not just concealed,
As if to end love's drought?
Is there some other love ahead,
Some sweetheart as my friend?
Or will I keep my single bed,
Still single to life's end?