Some would probably say
That I’ve lost it
But here’s the funny
Thing about losing things
We can only lose
Things that we had
Since I never had
You you weren’t mine
To lose so what
If anything were you
A near miss a
Maybe and maybe even
A whoopsie close enough
To maim but not
Close enough to lose
I knew a leaf
Once a magnificent leaf
I watched him bud
And yawn and shiver
On my favorite tree
He whistled in spring
And sunned in summer
He took great pride
In keeping raindrops off
Of hiding children beneath
But then Autumn came
And he grew tired
He lost his looks
And his boyish verve
One day while walking
I heard him ask
What’s happening to me
I looked up saying
It’s time to go
But you’ll be back
In the hearts of
Those who remember you
There’s comfort in knowing
Someone else well like
Knowing somewhere else well
The hole in walls
Places with the best
Of all the things
Hidden to the others
Arms lips food drink
Somewhere someone knows you
So well just enough
Some people just know
He’s one for me
Knows where to land
Both tickle and punch
Not that he’s quick
Or even very precise
But I lower hands
And expose my flesh
And off he goes
Playing whack a mole
With my outstretched chin
And my naked feet
And oh of course
My heart and mind
He’s naturally my boo
My corner man too
I miss somebody not
Someone and not everyone
Somebody heretofore yet unknown
That somebody who might
Turn into that someone
But then of course
I’ll miss him too
I guess that it’s
Me that I miss
Me most of all
HARLAN DIDRICKSON 