How long can a galaxy last once its star has burnt out?

Once the star burns out there is nothing

Nothing but the cold, empty void of space

And everything in its sphere dies

Do we know how long it takes?

Before the message gets through

Before you know for certain that no one is coming for you?

What do you do in that horrible expanse of time?

Do you knit or sew?

Do you sing? Random aching words that no longer have meaning?

Or do you stir, aimless, haunted

Until all is still

Until there is no more

You will wait. You are gallant and brave.

Hopeful.

Foolish.

And as ice forms and breathing becomes more laboured,

What might before have passed for a thought drifts by

I should have left

Now, with unblinking eyes frozen in resolve and despair

You watch as the world ends