right hand pointing

Janet Smith

The Answer

Some want loneliness to be a disease,

cured with God or self-help books

or a vacation in a sunny town

where it's too hot to think.

At this corner where

no one stands, and no bus comes

as the wind blows and bows us down

loneliness makes its demands.

I say we hold its hand,

thank it for its faithfulness,

bring it, proud and shivering,

to every empty bed.