Lonely is just one word

Lonely is just one word
chosen to represent so much,
to tell of feelings inside
that the senses cannot touch.

Lonely can be in the teardrops
on a bereaved person’s cheek,
Lonely can be in the silence of sorrows
too deep to speak.

Lonely can haunt a deserted room
that Laughter once made proud,
Lonely surrounds you when you’re alone
or finds you in a crowd.

Lonely is heard in echoed footsteps of a departing friend,
Lonely penetrates the solitude of nights
that will not end.

Lonely will not listen to the pleadings of a broken heart-
Lonely stays and torments
until new Love shatters it apart.