The “I’ll miss you, kiss you” fades into silence

And I open my eyes to the harsh reality in the airplane.

23 days without you.

A lifetime passes, the sun rises and sets, I eat and sleep

It’s only been one day since last I saw you.

One twenty-four hour period in

23 days without you.

Mountains pass, the road hums beneath our tread

I open my eyes and put it in drive, we’re on the road, we go

Streetlights turn to tree-lines and national park signs.

23 days without you.

Fortunately, I have our picture. I carry it everywhere

I dreamed I had another picture, but I don’t.

You’ve been haunting my dreams—you are ever present

23 days without you

For only three weeks, everything

Feels like an eternity passing by

I’m waiting for it to end these

23 days without you.