you’re missing

for every minute I squandered
time burning away
looking down at my phone
instead of looking up
at you
for all the stop and stares
that I wasted
on everything and everyone
but you

you deserved my full stop
you deserved my attention
you were my mother bird
and I was your little wing
you carried me underneath
your heart long ago
I remember the rhythm,
like a pop song
when I was yours
and you were mine

six months ago
you ran out of heartbeats
a deafening silence
I look up from my phone,
but now you’re missing

my dear robin
now you have my full stop
now you have my attention
but it’s too late -
all these days have burned away
and now you’re gone
my missing pop song; my mom

I press on, heart to bits  
alone with a damn phone
humming to the beat of your drum

I don’t want to live in a world
where you do not exist
but for you, mom,
hand on heart,
I’ll try.