During Single-Digit Hours
A villanelle

*
your absence gnaws at me, devours.
the woe grows worse than in the day
during single-digit hours
*
alone in cold that overpowers
the warmth your lips blazed yesterday.
your absence gnaws at me, devours.
*
my will has withered, soul has soured
fermenting in this airless grey
during single-digit hours.
*
I only yearned for love that’s ours,
yet you refused, you didn't stay.
your absence gnaws at me, devours.
*
all that’s left are wilted flowers
and fingerprints that signed your fate
during single-digit hours.
*
you should not have called me coward,
your flesh quit quick, soul slipped away.
your absence gnaws at me, devours
during single-digit hours
*
About the Creator
Cristal S.
I’ve noticed when I follow the path I enjoy most, I often end up swimming upstream. So here I am, right in the middle of it – writing about it all and more. ♡
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insight
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions



Comments (5)
Read this when it was published and meant to come back to it. This was one of those poems I could feel in my core and I loved the expression of single digit hours. I'm way too familiar with them. Great take on the challenge Cristal.
Your word choices are haunting and elegant giving the poem a chilling, lingering atmosphere.
A powerful and haunting expression of grief and abandonment
This was so poignant, emotional, and beautifully written! Soul has soured was my favourite line. Loved your poem!
Wow! You created quite the tone here. Excellent work!!!