#249 A Vacant Space Poem by Jimmie Arrington

How do I say I miss you
Without blaming myself?
How do I continue
Without shaming myself?

The truth is, there is no way
Because the fault is mine.
There’s nothing I could say
To untangle this vine.

Nonetheless, I miss you,
I’ll say it anyhow.
I miss how I once knew
Forever was here and now.

I miss that old bench in the park
Where we planned out our lives
And spending hours in the dark
On our long midnight drives.

I miss the calming knowledge
Of knowing you’ll be here
And never needing your pledge
Cause your heartbeat made it clear.

I miss your animated face
When you had a story to tell.
In my heart there’s a vacant space
Where you’ll forever dwell.

I miss how your smile shines
And illuminates my life.
Like a sailor misses shorelines,
I miss my loving wife.

How do I say I miss you
Without hating myself?
How do I continue
Living life all by myself?

How do I calm the swelling fears?
How do I stop the flowing tears?