Homeless in his own home,
with a wife he doesn’t love
and kids that shut him out.

He’s on edge like a visitor,
a house guest overstaying
his unofficial welcome.

Glass underfoot shatters
with every tentative step
on unstable grounds.

Homeless in his own home
as she finds hers
in the arms of another.

He’s left to pick up the pieces
of a life broken down
a family that fell apart.

Homeless in his own home
stranded in a wrecked life
a body missing a soul.

After hours alone
the mind does wander
often to unexpected places
and every now and then
the body is tempted to follow.
When one is alone
all those things
usually ridiculous
somehow seem simply natural
and fascinate
capturing the imagination.
Decisions made in isolation
should not be held too strictly
for the risk of doing something
you will regret.

Said body to shadow
shadow
why do you follow me
foot to foot fastened
wherever I go
whatever I do
whether I stand or walk or run?

Said shadow to body
body
why must you always
stay between me and the sun?

- William Hart-Smith, 1979

Rainbow patterns of light dance across the wall
her eyes follow, full of life
but her body is weak.

In her mind she dances across the floor
wearing rainbow coloured clothing
but her body lies still
for it is weak.

Other children run and play
while she is stuck indoors, alone,
because her body is weak.

Patterns of light elicit a smile, a laugh
for a moment her life is perfect
for her body is weak,
but her mind is strong.