A couple of your old t-shirts are still here. So are your sweatpants I like to wear. Your softball glove’s in the hall closet. There’s a picture of us still on my nightstand. So many things ’round this apartment remind me of us. It hurts, but it’s more painful to think of letting them go. V.S.

I saw an old friend today
He asked for you
He asked of us
I did not say
‘We are no more’
I answered ‘all is well.’
You are gone
Why can I not accept this?
Time will heal all, they say
But the loss is deep
Like our love once was,
you are irreplaceable
But I will replace you
I will love again
“Acceptance” by author unknown