An empty vase lives on my kitchen table
Tall, reflective, curving into a blossomed flower
Sits by itself collecting dust and fruit flies
It won’t bite on touch I know that
But my eyes burn looking at it
So we keep our distance
Reminiscing dead moments of pure joy
One day it was flaunting tulips
Another day sunflowers
Today it holds anger
Along with regrets relaxing in tears of loss.
There is an empty vase on my kitchen table
And I cannot throw it out
Because it is still strong and sturdy
Unbroken and reflective
Only empty of the hydrangeas
And the love we had.