How many times have I

forgotten you today...

Five?  Six?  A dozen times perhaps....

once when I saw a shadow

and realized it was mine

with none beside it.

You were gone.

Once when I looked across the room

into eyes totally without

shadows and sunlight,

without the tenderness I love so

when you watch me.

I must learn to accept today

and tonight

and the morning of every tomorrow

knowing we tried, in our own way,

scarred by old hurts,

both vulnerable to

and suspicious of

each other's softness.

Certain that new loves

aren't important

not now

not yet.

I build hours,

terribly crowded, lonely hours,

minute by minute by minute

forgetting you over and over

again.