PuzzlePieces (for Gil)

So so so 
many people are
just jigsaw puzzles
with pieces missing
but rather than
looking for the
pieces that fit
they find pieces
that don’t that
in fact fit
someone else’s puzzle
and they settle
for a picture
that isn’t quite
but is enough
whereas I prefer
to be missing
than filled with
what never ever
belonged there in
the first place

Canvas

I have discarded 
each and everything
ever procured during
the presence of
another every piece
of furniture trinket
picture clothing book
shoe glass dish
pan paper pen
I am now
my own blank
canvas upon which
to paint anything
with any colors
absent from lines
which to follow
I have now
built my sanctuary
which reflects only
me remember that
things are not
memories things don’t
have memories only
people have them
don’t keep things
that remind you
of anyone else
for both those
and them aren’t
thinking about you

ThyLove

I am learning 
every single day
the importance of
putting me first
this isn’t selfish
it is essential
immersing ourselves in
the bath that
we are not
only cleanses but
also rejuvenates us
take your time
with yourself today
you will love
yourself for it

UnpackingHim

I was with him 
for thirty-two years and
I’m just now learning
that my moving on
is much more arduous
than I ever expected
leaving things behind is
the easy part it’s
the unpacking of memories
it’s the sorting stacking
and even the storage
of such stuff that
I find most daunting
and so I go
on with this business
every minute every hour
every day every year
and I will someday
run out of time
or of these things
and either one is
completely fine by me
for this is simply
the cost of loving
someone for a lifetime

AfterYou

The subconscious always 
allows the conscious
to go first
whenever we forgive
someone consciously our
subconscious hides in
the deepest corners
giggling and knowing
it will haunt
us when we
are most vulnerable
in our sleep
in time even
it when like
a bully learns
that its taunts
no longer upset
will move on
torturing someone else