Gone 

Colleen Saffron

I sat with your ghosts today,

pulled out a chair and settled in,

prepared to spend time poring over our memories, together.

But as the dust motes danced in the sunlight,

I realized the veil between your world and mine

has grown heavier and more opaque over the years.

I find it harder to visualize you sitting with me

and instead of a cozy visit, it feels like a leaden ritual

replete with guilt for wanting to leave so soon.

The vivid outlines of who you once were

have dimmed and become blurry,

like an old photo in a box under the bed, telling a story no one clearly remembers

but everyone smiles sadly over, when it’s repeated.

Mourning has evolved into acceptance. The vacuum of loss has been replaced with a silent,

comfortable, vacancy

that is filled with the peacefulness of soul one finds

when they have spent enough time with their grief.