the days are full so it is easy
to just go onward from one thing
to next, from one task to another,
from poem to poem, from bed to desk
to office to classroom to freeway
and back
but when i pause
and linger on your absence
the time between now
and your return
seems to stretch
endlessly
i have to remind myself
that i have witnessed the
changing of the days
on the horizon and
on my calendar
and you really will
be back.
narinda heng 