Concrete instances of emptiness. Blinds not drawn. Flowers do not arrive. Bed made tight; no stilettos. Never sticky. Doves alone coo. Pet names only for pets. No need to shave. Last night's wine. One glass. Coffee becomes ******. Condo not condoms. Hands and knees only to fix sink. No position. No lipstick stains the staff. Lingerie a catalog. Flag always at half mast. Sleep soft, not deep. A **** is a chicken; a ***** is a cat. Fingers seeking ****** find nothing. Blowing your nose becomes PDA. Ghostly hands caress vanished thighs. All embraces are distant. Hugging your sister. Mysteries of faded flesh; sound after sigh Not a trace of perfume or personality. The orgasmically charged what isn't. What is missing prevails. What was is missing.