You asked me “Will you miss me?” each time you went away

And out loud

I’d laugh and say “No, you’re not going away that long,” again and again

But in my head

Where you couldn’t hear me

I’d say

 

“No. I won’t miss you.

But I will remember how you’d speak,

The way your tongue rolled the words around in your mouth

I will remember the way you’d walk,

Like you owned the place,

Confidently.”

 

I admired your confidence

 

“I will remember your quirks

And what made you you

I will remember the stories you’d tell

About your day at work

And we complained every time you began

But we listened

 

“I will remember the sparkle you’d get in your eyes

When you looked at the view

Of the mountains with the sun rising behind them

I will remember the smile you’d wear that made you beautiful

And I will remember

You.”

 

But now that you’re gone

I realise

That I do

Miss

You