Fragile Things

[alter_idem]

...I may be grim, perhaps, but only just grim
as any man who suffered such affairs. Misfortune,
carelessness or pain, what matters is the loss. You'll see
the heartbreak linger in my eyes, and dream
of making me forget what came before you walked
into the hallway of this house. Bringing a little summer
in your glance, and with your smile.

While you are here, of course, you will hear
the ghosts, always a room away,
and you may wake beside me in the night,
knowing that there's a space without a door
know that there's a place that's locked
but isn't there. Hearing
them scuffle, echo, thump and pound...

The Hidden Chamber by Neil Gaiman