He is here and
there around me.

Stands by me
as I cook
up a dish
he’ll never taste.

Follows me to the
yard, where
I pluck tangelos
he’ll never squeeze.

Sits snuggled
up against me,
watching TV shows
he’ll never see.

Complains that
I feed the dogs
off my plate,
steals the blankets,
hides the mustard,
says I put too many
beans in the chili

And I won’t, just
won’t let him go.

Follows me in sleep.
Elbows me at night.
I turn to shake him...

He’s gone.
It’s turned first light.

And still I miss him so...