You Pause at the Foot of the Stairs

You pause at the foot of the stairs
And look up
Your pale hand resting gently on the banister
You’re engulfed by your dress, muted and shapeless
Your face is etched in soul-deep weariness
A sigh escapes you
And you bend down to rub you ankles
Straining in high heels
Your skirt rides up

You are wondrous
I would embrace you
And give you ease

Through a pinprick of light
You are revealed to me nightly
But the barrier hid me

Tonight
I reach out to turn the knob