I make no effort
to match the word
or place something
within the free
space
of your absence.
Your likeness fades
from our memories
always proclaiming

all your history’s women
the assault,
Missouri now.
Whether this way or
that.
i don’t know. never will.
you, all around
you, the ghost in the hall.
you, laughter in a room.

hellbent on ending up
always elsewhere
looking toward the window
like a stained glass mobile
-not to break,
but to flourish
when the sun catches you right.