When you leave
I don't want
to change a thing

I leave your clothes
on the floor
your toys in the hall
your books on the dresser

the flat becomes a
time capsule, crystallizing
the moment of departure
the last things you touched

it's difficult for me
to carry on
things fall apart
little by little
then a little more

until at last without
quite knowing how
everything's a disaster
that mimics the barren
ache of my heart

when you're gone
my laughter rings hollow
to my own ears
I'm strong, you know
in my own way
the tears don't fall
I keep them in check


we've had so much
practice at this,
haven't we?


it's worst at night
when I go to bed alone
when I can't check
to make sure you're
still breathing, watching
the soft peaks and troughs
as your chest
works unconsciously to
keep you with me
another moment, another hour

the aching spasming void
lodged so deep inside of me
refuses to be mollified
stilled, quieted or comforted
in any way, no matter
how valiantly I try

nothing else fills
that daughter shaped hole

till next summer then,
sweet girl

be strong and know
you are loved immeasurably
impossibly

up to the moon
and back

10/30/2007

Posted on 10/30/2007
Copyright © 2024 Gira Bryant