The hole that’s left
isn’t actually what hurts
that part is numb
it is the standing 
on the lip of
the crater and looking
at what once was
and where’d it go 
that does nobody ever 
sees a comet coming 
all that anyone sees
is the debris field
left once it’s gone 

The sun streams low 
between night and light 
heavy clouds like mud
dampen fire of day
and a band aid
of orange chewing gum 
or salt water taffy 
stretches north to south 
Denver’s a candy counter 

I understand now that 
life is a circle 
not a carnival ride
there are no tickets 
to hold and punch
starting somewhere ending another 
round round we go 
stopping to take on
new to let off
old merrily we go 
and then at last 
we end where started 
all alone with ourselves 
but wiser and stronger 
and happier and loved
for having the courage 
to walk this promenade 

I know 
little not
and don’t 
want to 
be known 
but rather 
just be 
over here 
for there
I’ve been 
too many 
times before 

I swim in empty 
the sounds all muffled 
a quiet surrounding me 
creaks and cracks echoing 
thumping thuds add dimension 
I hear nothing but 
the noise of same 
and this brings comfort 
like cream to coffee 
and sugar to tea