flying down the interstate
one goal in mind
home
mile after mile
and then unexpectedly
we see
a red couch
abandoned, in the emergency lane
cushions awry
broken slats
someone will walk into the house
and feel incomplete
like something is lost, missing
for their red couch is no longer there
waiting for them
to continue with their stories intertwined–
the couch filled with tears
and laughter and movie nights
and evenings spent reading together
by the fire,
hardly noticed
until it was gone
some will be angry
others wondering why
some blaming, some crying
some simply sitting where it used to be
wishing somehow they could bring it back
and so that is how it is
today
with you gone
and your stories with you–
how will we go on,
walking into the room
or the gathering
or taking the photograph
with one less smile?
like the couch
we are lost and broken
without you here
this journey
with all its pain and goodbyes
and finding joy in the hardest of days
laughter in the midst of the tears
it’s baffling
it’s all so baffling
much like a red couch
abandoned
on the trip back home
I Might Need A Nap 