only the trees

Before him were
only the trees and
his lunch. Wrapped tightly
in old kitchen paper.
The air was wet and heavy.
And lightning lit the sky
And threw shadows
that drew closer together
taking on a familiar shape.
And it slunk towards him.
This shadow-being.
And fell on his lap.
Its small torso against
his bony chest
like someone he once loved.
He rocked himself gently
back and forth.
And his left arm twitched
across the grass;
his hand closed around
the bundle in front of him.
And squeezed it until
the sludge oozed between his fingers
and dripped from them like love.