Life After Death

it is not the

empty rooms

that matter

or the big house you

so meticulously decorated

(your presence is

still here everywhere)

it’s not

the silent mornings

quiet nights

i am learning to have

my conversations with dogs

they watch listen

cock their heads try hard

with loving eyes to understand

i drink my tea

undisturbed at sunrise

eat simple meals

some days eat out

perched at the bar

of your favorite restaurant

talking nothing

to strangers passing through

what matters

now is 

what

i did

not do

with you

the moments

i wanted to

be left alone

when you

were there

waiting

what i lost

that was

never mine

to lose