she who whispered

she who whispered

she, who?

        whispered me by softer

     names and time she found within

a book      far older than any i

had read though her gaze spoke

               youth no lies, nor guile to

fashion rude tools i did use them well ill upon

                     recalling her pleas i play

stoic to the vignette, a

wooden man and thereupon she is hangs

breathing until naught

                naught, as she'd will for me of the swill-black

brew overflowing my rusted cup