When You Are Yesterday...

 PAD Challenge day 23: For today’s prompt, take the phrase “When (blank),” replace the blank with a word or phrase, make the new phrase the title of your poem, and then write the poem. 

Part of me almost said 'yech' as I stared at the modest mundane awaiting my attention

...then a pang pierced me with conviction; I turn with grateful care, privileged to touch

Familiarity so common I almost miss it!

When you are far away from me

Save in the arms of thought’s embrace

And all that I can do is trace

The echoes of a memory

When you are there and I am here

To wear love’s worthy ache of want

And bear the miles that seem to taunt

Twixt farewell’s kiss and hello-dear

When words alone cannot atone

For words that I cannot retract

Or lessons learned after your fact

Where I cannot undo the done

Then I, with wiser, gentler care

Cradle the moments in my grip

Aware that soon they too will slip

Into your chamber of thin air

© Janet Martin