I gaze upon her picture and struggle to recall

the moment the picture was taken

but I see only the light from the flash

I search my memories for the sound of her voice

but fear I’m going deaf

I pull apart my memory looking for the smell of her skin, her hair

but smell only my own

I search frantically the recesses of my mind for the warmth of her embrace

but feel only the cold emptiness of air

Each time I try to regain the moments in time of her life

I pick at the scab that has started to form                              

                                                      And bleed anew