you kiss me on the cheek
we commerce with mumbles
of “have a good day”
you hand me a stuffed animal
in exchange for your absence
& even in our worst days
we did this
before the sun rose
& just like that
you were off to work
grief occupied me
& safety was left vacant
as your warmth fell away
somewhere in the east my co-dependency speaks
on by behalf
“well, what do I do, NOW?”
maybe if he just lingers here
a little longer
I’ll feel
just a little better
because the sun never rises
on my end of the town
when you’re not around
& I can’t help
but ruminate
on how I got to this point
of non-existence
how I haven’t even ascended an arm
in months
or even a year how I have become
quarter human
heavy &
copper that has rusted
face down
a boy at the cafe
tells me that he
he does not recognize me
he jokes that
I am a ghost
& I am not jolted by this
as I scurry below the belt
weaving in & out
of anyone that will
make me theirs
sweep me to the sky
in the clouds, I depart
awaiting in the shadows
anticipating impatiently
for my morning kiss
