The Trip We Never Took

Where have you gone? Can you tell me?
You were always the traveler-
though I never imagined you’d go this far.

You’ve been gone longer than the typical holiday,
But I’m still waiting to hear the way your voice raises an octave
when you say hello and step into my embrace.

Why did you go without me?
You promised this trip would be together…
Eyes red from exhaustion and so dry
they can barely open, would prove otherwise.

My feet, here in this place and in these once nude shoes,
now speckled by your new bedding
would claim they’ve been cheated,
Left yearning for cobble-stone roads and black sand beaches
In stride with yours:
inside, outside, inside, outside

So here I am, wondering where you stand,
hoping that I can follow.