“Weeping Widow”

by Chantelle Bateman

Woke up abruptly

To the sound of the alarm.

Still half expecting

For you to reach out

Saying, “Good morning Baby,”

“It’s time to get up.”

Until I reached back

And felt only the cold spot;

The one called “my side.”

So I stretched and sighed

At the fond memory of

Morning breath kisses

And love taps in those,

“Just five more minutes moments.”

I discovered you

In the bathroom but

It was only the toothbrush

That you left behind.

And the tears began

As they do every morning

Before I find them

Smiles to put on

Always knowing that breakfast

Will not be for two