my absence

keep my absence between your bedsheets-

when your wife turns her back to sleep,

tell her about how it starts yellow at first,

but leaves only ashes too hollow to weep;

keep my absence in empty teacups-

when she finds your life fucked up,

tell her about the abuse i had done

to convert your temples into lockups;

keep my absence in the dowry chest-

so when she asks what comes next,

tell her about the drop in temperature 

when the storm overtakes your reflex;

keep my absence in the open window-

and lord, she flutters the curtain,

tell her about my eyes already watching 

to absorb your lethal hammer blows;

keep my absence in the mantelpiece clock-

every second she waits up late,

tell her about the wreckage you create,

she is the one who stands by the gate;

just never tell her that inside,

you keep my absence for your own pulses.

- chetna 🌻