we are gathered here today to ignore the empty seat next to me
i tell myself this is how it’s meant to be
laughter passes between the four of us, we’re all reminiscing
all except the one that’s missing
isn’t this peace more than enough?
is anyone going to call us on our bluff?
the vacant chair looms in the dark and my brother’s question brings it to life
                    why did you ask for a table of five?
suddenly I feel small in my seat
i succumb to a tense smile, simple and bittersweet
                     a force of habit, my fault
one by one, we halt
and stare
at the bare
and lonely chair.