Lindsey Royce: Packing His Things

Weary, I empty the dryer, 
smooth wrinkles from his clothes. 
Work shirts stained with oil paint 
rest neat in the suitcase 
        next to his jeans. 
 
In the bathroom, I pack his toothbrush, 
his toothpaste, razor, and deodorant. 
I give up his flannel I sleep in, 
         stash framed photos in a drawer. 
 
When I try to close the holes
in my home, the half-empty closet 
and medicine chest, 
they won’t fill up, they’re gravity 
         pulling me into emptiness. 
 
Now, I long for one of those shirts,  
his scent of sweat and paint,  
to cover the dent on his side of the bed, 
so, when I roll over, I 
        don’t fall into the future.

Copyright 2019 Lindsey Royce. From Play Me a Revolution by Lindsey Royce published by Press 53.