In The Presence of

Absence

A haiku collection part I.

by Montana Bruns

I.

She got up to leave at dawn and in that moment I must have left, too.

II.

Loneliness became familiar enough that I questioned attention.

III.

Conversations turned into passive-aggressive one word messages.

IV.

I saw my shadow and forgot about the lights shining behind me.

V.

I dont want revenge; I want you to feel the light sinking in your sight.

VI.

I can leave the house but youre stuck inside my mind wherever I go

VII.

Certain sounds trigger memories but silence is always familiar.

VIII.

Im drawing a blank that looks an awful lot like your text messages.

IX.

How unfortunate to have all you want to say never leave your mouth.

X.

My breath has become a steady series of sighs between cigarettes.

XI.

You are not replaced; I miss you more than my words could ever express.

XII.

Im constantly in motion but still manage to get hung up on you.

XIII.

I didnt chain smoke until you started talking to somebody else.

XIV.

Nowhere feels like home regardless of where I go when youre not around.

XV.

Inside a minute I remembered and forgot why I left the bed.

XVI.

I scan the tree line and wonder how many fell from growing too tall.

XVII.

The last thing I saw in my most vivid nightmare was what I wanted.

XVIII.

I dont want to stop riding the crest of the wave that will swallow me.

XIX.

The irony is I enjoy seeking answers more than hearing them.

XX.

We all want closure without experiencing negativity.

XXI.

Im getting closer but the boundaries expand once Im within reach.

XXII.

The strongest structures Ive built are the boundaries Ive made for myself.

XXIII.

Whats truly scary is when you decide to walk away from yourself.

XXIV.

I might be tongue-tied but Ill be goddamned if I dont want yours again.

A Change In

The Tide

part II.

I.

I wont minimize myself to be recovered at your convenience.

II.

I couldnt count on anything to happen but the passage of time.

III.

Ive spent enough time staring into the ocean unable to swim.

IV.

Today Im dreaming of a tomorrow untouched by yesterdays news.

V.

You crave honesty but shudder at the sight of your own reflection.

VI.

Lasting impressions exist both in our minds and on our mattresses.

VII.

I heard your message but Im not entirely convinced that you did.

VIII.

You leave the door locked and sit still wondering why nobody comes in.

IX.

There was a time when I actually believed the excuses you made.

X.

My hand shook in yours when I realized it could hold more than cigarettes.

XI.

Three in the morning I heard your voice on the phone and forgot my pain.

XII.

Ill put together the shattered pieces and make a goddamn mural.

All haikus Montana Bruns 2014 - 2015.