In Your Absence

my lips brush your fingertips long after your departure your place next to me awaits my embrace as I bask in your aura scooting closer to make contact startling a blackbird at the window tracing you onto a foggy pane of glass I submerge myself in your image placing a kiss on your pert nose breathing your warm, sensual gardenia scent laced throughout your ivory damask sweater cradled in my arm as if a newborn the dark bird, steward of my recollections, returns ?memories surge, spreading emotive warmth from my core outward I tighten my hold on your garment, pressing my cheek against the creamy soft fibers snuggling with your fragrance infused shadow wanting you to brush away wet trails on my cheeks tomorrow unveils a new day its skin bursting with possibilities such as the blackbird returning ?beak filled with nesting materials hope arrives with the dawn even as gloom flees my arms