I feel your eyes when I'm lonely
I hear your voice coalesce out of air
I feel your touch around the edges of a dream
and I wake expecting you there
 
but I've been disappointed now
for eight mornings straight
the alarm that usually gets your arms around me
now just hums, and no one comes
 
and through this week of loneliness
I'm taking careful notes
there must be something to learn from this
something the silence knows
 
I've fed your fish every morning
I think I've watered all your plants
I've put all your mail and messages on the end of your desk
with the real-estate listings for this week
 
but the tomato plant is obviously
on its way to hell
and if goldfish don't have facial muscles
how do their mouths show reproach so well?
 
and through this week of loneliness
I'm taking careful notes
there must be something to learn from this
something the silence knows
 
tomorrow night you'll be back here
you're packing for the journey even now
a suitcase full of laundry and some books of mine you borrowed
all wait neatly by the door
 
but take your time, drive safely
I'll leave the lights on to welcome you home
there's ice cream in the freezer
and I'm all alone
 
and from this week of loneliness
I think I've found a clue
do all the lamps I've lit in your honor
say the same to you?