I pressed the button cold and round

I pressed the button, cold and round,

a hopeful chime, a little sound.

It echoed in, then died away,

into the quiet, sunless day.

I waited. Listened. Heard the birds,

and then my own unspoken words.

I pressed again, a sharper plea,

just silence staring back at me.

Three times I rang, a foolish quest,

my heart beating in my chest.

The house just stood, a hollow gaze,

through empty windows, through the haze.

I turned to leave, the porch light dim,

a quiet shame, limb after limb.