So Very Much

You have become

an almost visible invisibility

in my life, a poltergeist

of sorts, I suppose,

moving objects

that remind me of you

into my path, leaving them

on my desk so

I might see their shape

first thing in the morning

as I sit down

to write you away

for a handful of hours;

how I gently move them

to one side, slightly

out of sight, the tips

of my fingers white

with the effort of expelling

little effort lest

I damage these old items

newly offered.

I hear your voice too,

when my mind wanders,

your familiar words of love

echoing gently inside my skull,

trembling down to my silent heart.

You are gone,

and yet not gone,

leaving me to move on

with no hope

of moving on,

all of you

still alive,

so very much alive,

around me.

Edward Lee's poetry, short stories, non-fiction and photography have been published in magazines in Ireland, England and America, including The Stinging Fly, Skylight 47, Acumen, The Blue Nib and Poetry Wales. His play ‘Wall’ received a rehearsed reading as part of Druid Theatre’s Druid Debuts 2020.

He also makes musical noise under the names Ayahuasca Collective, Orson Carroll, Lego Figures Fighting, and Pale Blond Boy.

His blog/website can be found at https://edwardmlee.wordpress.com