“Missing You While You’re Here”
Push too hard but in my defense
a shadow washing over you
but to defend in triplicate
as if to us great poetry
could be born one last time
but in my defense
you were here but gone
to him and him and only him
the news a tragic rope
to gun it fast I get off work at ten
and spurs blur to yellow-jackets
let unhappiness be harmed
and truly great poetry be answered
in strangers’ kisses
friends left us behind
in clouds of sugar cars
nothing could make you stay
could make you do poetry in firelight
don’t talk for a century
don’t talk in poetry
mistaken you:
you’re not gone.
nicholauspatnaude 