Preliminary Loss

Preliminary Loss

I read a book about war in which people who loved each other
were separated
by country or by death.
I took in your sleeping face, lashes brushing cheeks, lips
lax and plump,
and my eyes and nose burned.
I was urged to wrap my arms, my legs around you and squeeze
until you became
another part of me.
Then you could never leave, melded to my flesh.
I would have to cut you out
and I would never do that.