Missing is gone 
having never had 
is longing felt
which is worse
I often wonder 
I have tasted 
the flesh’s sweetness 
felt its ripe
and succulents often 
for then having 
do I miss 
or only long 
for what’s remembered 
avoiding what remains 
which is nothing 
when reflecting back 
here I sit
on a bench 
wholly uncertain if
this is on
a trolley line 
taking me somewhere 
or a park
taking me nowhere 

My muse
once again 
excused himself 
pushed away 
stood up 
walked out 
without warning 
and I
left wondering 
how now 
will I 
when before 
it was
always we

The sky
is night
with shards 
of days 
broken mirrors 
echoing lights
twinkling beneath 
dark clouds 
like ink
spots stain
the cold
cobalt sheet
as if
a pause
caused feelings 
to bleed 

Having been or
so I thought 
the one with 
the nickel who
gets to wish
and try and 
hope to hook
but alas also 
am I one 
who is trapped 
inside this silly 
game of poke 
and try but
never won only 
to wait for 
another coins hope 
to try again 

The sky
this morning 
is ocean 
with reef
apparent beyond 
touching horizon 
and above 
white cloud
banks that 
hover or
were snagged 
by mermaids 
or urchins 
or even 
maybe monsters
begging them 
to stay 
a little 
while longer 
and give 
promised shelter 
for sea
creatures don’t 
ever enjoy 
being tan