I Looked For You In a Painting

I looked for you in a painting.

I studied the strokes and
Felt their remnants there.
I stared at the blades of grass and
Thought I sensed your clouded stare.
But you weren't there.

I looked for you in a dream.

It was the realm I thought you'd be.
Ready to ask if you think of me.
In my sleep and watching close,
I thought I'd feel you gently breathe.
But this could never be.

I looked for you in the vast sky.

Whether in the day or
Late into night,
The sun shone like the moon
And the stars remained in sight,
But I didn't find you there...
I never saw your light.

I looked for you in the Earth.

I walked barefoot through the dirt
And contemplated my worth.
I watched the velvet ants run lines
And I heard the cicada cries of mirth.
But you were not there.
You weren't anywhere.

I looked for you upon the meadow.

Where the sweet corn trembled in a row,
I stepped between the stalks we'd sown.
I choked up pollen and spat out bugs,
But in every step, I stepped alone.
You weren't in the plants we'd grown.

I looked for you within the wood.

The trees swayed, when I never could.
I'd like to think I learned enough,
But I can't move on, as I know I should.
The river's thick with running blood,
And you left us here, as we knew you would.
And as the river begins to flood,
I'll follow the foam, from soap to sud,
Down between the rocks and crud,
Where it shall flow into the deep
And I'll sleep inside a flower's bud.