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A few loose sleep shirts sit folded
and perfectly aligned,
tranquilly undisturbed in the set of
cloth drawers you left behind.

They have no knowledge of conflict
no memory of lovers’ strife
I envy their impervious existence
and their effortless way of life.

Every now and again, I find
myself
reaching for one
to cover my skin before the 
laundry is done.

I open the drawer you left me 
and observe them perfectly in place,
while your drawers remain
empty for now, just in case.

I’ll draw one near and cover my face
drowning myself in their fragrant smell.
It’s a comforting scent 
I remember so well.

I pause for a moment and
well up with tears.  You see,
these ones have yet to be touched

since you last washed them for me.

I can’t bring myself,
I must put it back.
What if they lose their scent 
and my memories fall through the cracks?

I’ll leave them all be,
I’m not ready to face

a future without 
your loving embrace.

I’d rather them stay 
where you let them last drop.
Anything I can do
to make this time stop.