By susan ahlfeld
Date: 19 June 2000

today

Strange...
          it's not like I though
                it would be
     it doesn't ache - or even pain -
                not today.

True...
       I can't feel your touch
           against my skin
      or see what you're thinking
           behind your smile
       or run my fingers across your ticklishness;
     I can't ask you what you think
           about my painting
         or talk to you about
           my tennis raquet
      or even ask whether your cold
            is getting better

But...you know...
        I also can't help thinking
               you're gone
       and I can't help feeling this
            silent
                painless
                     emptiness...
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