dog-tags

i moved a speaker
off the mantle

and nudged his

collar

it made that 

everyday sound

that's been absent 

for over

two years now

keeping the urge for

tears at bay

while looking out

the back door

it hits me

how much i miss

you

& 

how long it's

been

since you've

been

by my side

with the world

beneath

our feet

& 

the sun

in

our eyes