I have this recurring dream
in which you come home

for Christmas.

not me.

and we make a point
to see each other.

You say hi!
(dear goodness,
i've missed you)

from

your actor smile.

And I say
(Stay with me!)
How ARE you?
too enthusiastically.

You tell me how
good
it is
to see me

and I hug you


sideways


like i don't
love
you.