(Sonnet with rhyme on both ends of alternating lines) The starkness of my world now that he’s gone pervades in all I see and hear and feel, but darkness swallows all until the dawn invades. Then what I’ve lost is made more real! I yearn for Moon’s return - her tender light to keep me soothed, for sunshine is my bane. I burn with thoughts of him. I need, each night, to sleep away my longings and the pain. He left, and now he’s far away from me across the globe. Oh, how I love him so! Bereft am I, but he perhaps feels free! My loss means where he is tonight shall glow sweet Moon, caressing him - as once did I, and soon, I’ll face the glare from morning’s sky! For Nicola Byrne's Long Distance Love Poetry Contest