SUBSTITUTES

We used
to brush
each other’s
hair
we used
to paint
each other’s
nails
we used
to feel
each other’s
skin
we used
to call
each other’s
name
we used
to stroke
each other’s
legs
we used
to laugh
so hard
spit
would spot
the other’s face

SUBSTITUTES

sound
would zephyr
through the air
breeze
across each other’s
cheeks.

I miss it

now it
has been
weeks
and weeks
and weeks
without
the texture
of touch
or the texture
of the physical
rush
you give me
words
and texts
and pixelated
kisses
you send me
rainbow hearts
that ping
with an artificial
empty ring

SUBSTITUTES

and I try to
believe
that we’re ok
that our substitute
selves
are just
the same.

So now we
brush
each other’s
FaceTime's
paint each other
emoji pictures
feel
the smooth
reply of our screens
ignore
the
hair line
cracks
where the light no longer shines