Her Absence Katrina Kaye I do not regret the days I spent loving you in her absence.
I do not regret your tempered touches as you searched for her skin under my scales or the way your eyes reflected her sharp chin and freckled chest when they fell on my frame.
I do not regret the fleeting space we created, morning gestures in the folds of sheet and flesh. Tending your wounds with tongue and time.
You found solace with your elbows on my table, your dirty feet in my bed, but she was ever present upon the waves of your thoughts. Your ears keen for her voice, but I heard it first, soft as the buzz of bumble bees on the beach calling you home.
I do not regret returning to a solitary balcony above the ocean’s turning point, or slipping inside my bed, still warm in your place.
As you kiss my hands in gratitude of my hospitality, my kindness, don’t leave thinking, I am emptied.
I gave what I wanted, no more, no less.

More from Katrina Kaye ↓

• @poetkatrinakaye on Instagram
• You can read more of her poetry on her website poetkatrinakaye.com

You can see me read Her Absence @rembrandts.cure on Instagram.

Mentioned in this episode:

Write After: National Poetry Month with One Poem Only

Write After is a way to encourage poets to listen and write, and use National Poetry Month to highlight how listening to poetry makes us better poets. I know I write the best when I’m surrounded by beautiful poetry–it’s part of the reason I created this podcast, and I want to encourage others to share this practice.

We'll get started in April. You can share to #WriteAfterOPO.

#WriteAfterOPO