Your Absence

At dusk I walk the coastline and peer out from the shore 

To where the blue blue sky meets the deeper blue sea 

I search for you in each rolling white cap 

I scan the night sky, searching the stars for a sign 

A shooting star or your silhouette in the glow of a harvest moon. 

Your absence is ever present, and my search never ending

I listen for you in the echo of my heartbeat 

I thought I heard you in the winds of the storm

as it beat against the shutters of our windows

And made dervishes of the trees in our backyard

You always loved the pageantry of a good storm

And would throw open the windows 

So that we could count the seconds between 

The flash of lightning and the crash of thunder

And as we approach another Valentine’s Day apart 

I catch my breath as I see couples on the boardwalk

Through the mist of tear-stained eyes

So obviously in the grips of a newfound love

Walking together, huddled in conversation

fingers clasped lightly in each other’s hands

I find a bench facing the water 

And sit under the light of a lamppost 

I close my eyes to better see you

My lips turn from frown to smile 

As I recall the milestones of our journey

And gain comfort from the memories

of our well worn love and deep affection

And begin to whisper the mantra of your name