Ablutions

She folds her arms up nicely

Lays them down upon the table

Wipes her mouth off as she

Tries to find another word for love

She hangs her skin up by the

Window looks to see that all the

Doors are open

Then she sits alone and

Wonders where you've gone

I counted your lingering

I counted time between thunder and lightning

I counted into silence, counted chickens, counted sheep

Counted 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004, 1005, 1006, 1007...

Upstairs she hears the space

Between the words you never said

She licks the tiny stone she gave herself and

Swallows all her worry

Won't you leave forever, won't you leave

For good?