Al Qabri Ramos

 

Absence

She repeated the word saudade

and closed his eyes, 

In a restlessness and guilt

squeezing your knuckles.

It might not make any sense 

to the world, but so

He found in the gesture a clue

that maybe he could feel it.

She lamented the distance

He repeated the word and 

She apologized.

She had a degree in science

of laments.

Then it was her turn 

To lock her eyes

to kiss his fears.

And it was all hidden within,

Revealing nothing except 

The smile and the leaven.