mimic

"mimic"

I heard your voice 

coming from the other room,

it sounded just like you.

But I knew 

it wasn't you,

it was just a mimic 

using the sound of you 

to lure me in

but I could tell the difference,

it's only been 

a small length of time

since you left

and my memory of you 

is still so very vivid.

More winters have passed now 

and the house 

has slowly become unkempt,

I don't have the energy 

to do the small things,

your absence 

has drained me,

but I heard your voice again,

coming from the other room,

but it was not you,

at first 

it was just nice to hear you

that I almost followed you,

but I know the difference,

even if 

it says 

hey, come here,

I need you, 

help me,

as delicious as that sounds 

it is only the itch 

that I can't scratch,

Many more winters and autumns 

have passed now 

and the loneliness 

has eaten away 

all of my resolve,

the house is buried 

in shadow and trash,

I wouldn't know 

the difference between

what a good meal was 

and something 

I just grabbed off the floor,

I know I lost you 

but am I sure you left?

You call for me 

from time to time

from the other room

but I never listen,

I have just gotten used 

to you 

saying things like how 

you need me,

but is it you?

I feel the length of time 

of your absence 

but now 

when I hear your voice 

it's like you never left,

I stare at you 

as you stand 

in the corner 

draped in shadow,

it looks like you,

but without any of the details,

my mind 

fills in those pieces,

you show me 

your toothy grin

and call out 

to me again,

I'm coming, I say to you.

I'm coming.

-Armando Torres