i search for you in pages in books

the words lain across the page

maybe you’re just at the very bottom.
i look for you around the edges of my sheets

between the fingers of my brush

in the shadows the dust casts around my bedroom.
maybe i’ll find you in the pauses before my quiet breaths

in the spaces next to the words of our favorite songs

i’ll search for you
i’ll find you in that moment right after i wake from a dream, hazy

and just before i open my eyes
maybe i’ll find your laughter in the coffee stains on the lip of my morning cup
or maybe i’ll find the traces of your smile left in the spaces between them