In Person

i lost my ring in moving cars,
with open arms around me
and this is what you said:
please don't start acting like Caitlin.

the empty spots in all my drawers
make me think of you.
the things i find between them
are all the things of me you know,
the things between the empty spots.

but the empty spots
are what i need you for.
you've never seen the murmer in my heart
or the blank space in my head,
the toe length distance
that describes who i am.
you've never seen me cry,
or even fathomed it
and i don't need those boxes,
i already have them.

what i'm concerned with is my father,
his shaky voice and rotting limbs,
the empty trails he plows,
friends who think too much of
the clothing in their closet,
and the empty street in midland,
where i have walked many times
beside you and without you
along with all the empty space
that is between us.