How many ‘I miss you’s can I bleed?
My face is pale,
my hands are cold,
but the time is long
and silence comes too easily.

Your house is still and dark.
No silly notes, no surprises.
No cat naps, no quiet morning kisses.

The clocks tell time for no one
while ‘miss you’s slip from my mouth
onto the floor, and lie unmoving,
patiently waiting to be heard.