i carry on in absentia
dialogues
monologues — rhetoric, socratic, analytic,
with — and for, people i once
knew,
had,
loved,
who i have lost or misplaced,
or
who have lost or misplaced me,
in some way,

these exchanges
exist

insightful
tender, wise,
more honest,

&

more real,
than those
i’ve had

in propria persona

ever,

or yet?