I remember how black it was
how dark and frightening it was
on those days when you kept yourself distant.
I remember how deprived I was
when I began to starve myself
in your absence.

I lost a leg’s worth of weight
when you walked away.
I just couldn’t find an appetite
for much of anything
when you were gone
until your memories faded enough
for me to forget what it was
that I once had.

It felt so narrow
in those tunneled days
when you disappeared
and I could see nothing but more darkness.
I lost so much
when I lost you.
It got better eventually
– obviously. It always does.
But I couldn’t see it
then.

I’ll have to remember
that.