unspoken

I keep hidden

deep

beyond the bottom

of my heart,

in a place

that does not exist,

a singular Nothing,

the presence of which

no longer causes grief

or pain.

No sense of loss,

no suffering remain,

at least that you might notice,

but behind every thought,

between each breath,

I am keenly aware

of this hollowness,

this empty space

which is not there.

once upon a time

it

is not.

it

never was.

how

then

do I feel

its loss?

collecting freckles

Collecting freckles

at the shore,

wind and spray

play wild in my hair.

I mark miles of sand

with a barefoot rule

to the cooling caress

of ocean foam

and reflect

in the light

of a blazing sun.

I search the horizon...

the sky...

the sea...

until a fresh perspective

finds me.

Unburdened

by this quiet gift,

I am content

to turn toward home.