Emptiness is

A clock without its parts

No way to make the joyful noise

Sounding twelve and all is well.

Uselessness.

Emptiness is

The calf who lost her mother, and,

Knowing she will never survive,

Gives in to the teeth of the wolf.

Surrendering.

Emptiness is

The ten year old child

Leaving home to start anew

When his family no longer loves him.

Forced Independence.

Emptiness is

Living day to day with everything we want

But not each other

When the only thing that keeps us from that is ourselves

Unrealized loss.

Emptiness is

All these things

Twisting, turning,

A big black circle of pain and hopelessness

Except when I’m with you.