" My heart has rooms that sigh with dust And ashes in the hearth. They must be cleaned and blown away By daylight’s breath. But I cannot essay the task, For even dust to me is dear; For dust and ashes still recall, My love was here. I know not how to say Farewell, When Farewell is the word That stays alone for me to say Or will be heard. But I cannot speak out that word Or ever let my loved one go: How can I bear it that these rooms Are empty so? I sit among the dust and hope That dust will cover me. I stir the ashes in the hearth, Though cold they be. I cannot bear to close the door, To seal my loneliness away While dust and ashes yet remain Of my love’s day. "

― Stephen R. Donaldson , White Gold Wielder (The Second Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, #3)