Breathless

I've been without breath
since the first time
I saw
      those shy brown eyes
peering
over the leather collar of a coat
shielding him
         from the December cold
                   standing
on
      the other side
of my door.

... the air still escapes me

-only-

now it disappears
                 with the realization
and acceptance
      that

he

really

is

gone.