Absence

by Chelsea Fanning

: the hole in your tooth your tongue keeps probing.

: the break in the dust from a mislaid book.

: the chair depression where the cat always napped.

: the condensation ring on the bedside table.

: the steady thrum of a record needle after the last track.

: the crushed grass under a smashed planter.

: the turning to talk to you and my voice smacking against silence.