would you

If you miss someone you loved

and you still see them, somehow

faint, fraying silhouette in the fog

and you look for their ghost

on a park bench, on the sofa

in the café you used to go to

there as if in remanence

– what if you did

what if you saw them

what would you do

would you go to them

and ask

how do you do

do you miss me

even just a bit

can I sit with you

would you

and everywhere you find their face and traits,

trace their mannerisms, and smell

in everyone in the metro and on the bus

in every footstep you hear them

and every time your heart

misses a beat

you hope and dread

that it’s really them

– what if it were

what would you do

would you run after the metro

tap the person’s shoulder

turn them around

cup their face into your palms

and kiss them tenderly

would you

and you still think of them

watching a video, reading an article

baking a rhubarb crumble

for the world made more sense

and food tasted better with them

and conversation with strangers

and sex with strangers

feel dull and deepen the emptiness

– what if they suddenly called

would you pick up and tell them

the world disappeared comfortably

with them around you

with them in you

would you ask them what they think

because their voice

filled the void like no other

soothed the tinnitus

would you chat with them

until dawn like you used to

would you

and you imagine them

in someone’s arm, having sex

kissing, cuddling, embracing

and it wrenches your guts

and you still extend your arm in bed

in the silent dark of nights

your fingers expecting to touch their body

– what if you did, what would you do

would you hug them so hard

you couldn’t breathe

would you say you’re sorry

tell them you’re happy

now you’re in their arms again

would you

would you