The Other

The Other

You walked out one morning

just as the sun hit the kitchen wall.

We didn’t argue.

There were no harsh words,

no slamming doors.

Your silence a kind of question

I could not answer.

You looked at me, and I knew-

knew the way you know

a storm is coming,

by the sudden stillness in the air.

You’d made up your mind

long before you stood to leave.

I could see it in the way

you packed your things

so carefully,

as if you were afraid

of breaking something

that was already broken.

you pulled a bag over your shoulder

left with a skip, blew a kiss

For a moment

I thought you might turn,

say something.

But you didn’t.

The door sighed as it closed,

a gentle, final sound,

and the day opened wide,

swallowing you whole.

The house is quiet now, too quiet.

Your absence fills the space

like a heavy fog,

settling into the corners

I can’t say I didn’t see it coming.

I knew, deep down,

that it would only take one knock

to make you realise

you never really wanted to stay.