The season, the weather, the company, the atmosphere and food
has all been wonderful today.
I’ve had a time and a holiday
and enjoyed myself immensely
and that gasping hole in the middle
did not stop the joy
– not quite –
but still
I knew you were missing.
I wish you were here.

There may be other years.
There may be other seasons.
Probably
other absences will be the whistling space

that holds back perfection
and you will be closer.
Certainly, I hope so.
I do not wish to miss you
again.

In the future
I would much rather find something else
lacking.