I knew from the first moment that you would not stay
Were tragedies like hurricanes in need of a name
Instead of breakfast and silence (both of which I am bad at in different ways)
I might've asked you for...
Anything at all, perhaps.
Having done what never appealed much to me
I made a chance meeting something disgusting
Bled on an altar requiring only burnt offerings
Sang hymnals at a vigil with silence surrounding
Thank the heavens you had sense enough to leave early
Now there are no dishes in the sink, just rumpled sheets beside me
And a meltdown to reheat that will keep for another morning
And there's work to be done, but I've grown a talent for fake coughing
And putting off the hard and easy things unless they come knocking
The devil in the details is that I've been looking
There is nothing extraordinary in the trash or burnt-out hallway light
The smile for the day is long exhausted by night
And I am just like everyone else who is just like
How unbearable to be alone and know that it is right
You will not watch the TV, so I do not buy it
There is a yearning within me that only comes alive when
Something living finds my caricature of thoughtless happiness
But it crumbles under scrutiny and all that is left is:
This same empty room by a freshly cleaned bath
And a pile of unfolded clothes, and three friendly cats
And a refridgerator full of ingredients— never snacks
And a note under the fridge magnet, "I'll be back."