To be absent in the mind
is to be present in the form
of a million shattered pieces
of vintage jewelry sold.
The history of a lifetime
gone to the highest bidder
or sitting on window sills
under neon pawnshop signs.
But one tiny part of you
the part the government wanted
as leverage for your padded cell
found its way into my pocket
and in that moment
all the years of resentment
did not disappear. I felt
no desire to visit
and no nostalgic reminiscence.
I did not even recognize
the necklace
but it was yours and now it’s mine
and you’ll never be completely gone.