phantom feelings

Image of Long Story Short Award - 2022
Image of Poetry
let's stay here awhile
just you and me
you don't want to go back out there
into a world of small talk
where no one wants to hear about
the weather or whether
you even say anything at all

so stay here with me
it's no different really
imagining a better connection
a better conversation
together with me or
alone around them

we make such good company
don't we?
just you and i
stay here now, with me in your mind
imagining the ghost of a touch
almost forgotten but not quite
just enough to remember
more than enough to miss

phantom limbs wrapping around your torso
holding you tight
crushing your ribs
so close you cannot breathe
suffocating yourself into
less than sweet dreams
stay there, for now
until tomorrow
when we meet again
6