Aftershock

Cradle me in your arms,
rock me to sleep.
Innocence lost to time,
lost before her time.

I drift now in silence,
awake, asleep,
not knowing the difference
between the two.

Life shall not return
to where it was –
despite my quest
for simpler times.

Tears well up, swelling.
Lids overflow.
A candle flame is dimmed,
bells now to toll.