I’m Not Pretty Anymore by John Dorroh

I love you most when you’re not here,
remembering vividly the wide stride
of your giant feet stomping down
into the basement
 
into cold cobwebbed afterbirth of apple
cider ten years ago when I first moved in.
 
There was cheer and pithy laughter.
Now there is your full-moon presence
 
which overshadows
my breath.

About the Poet:

Whether John Dorroh taught any secondary science is still being discussed. However, he managed to show up every morning at 6:45 for a couple of decades with at least two lesson plans and a thermos of robust Colombian. His poetry has appeared in about 75 journals, including Dime Show Review, North Dakota Quarterly, Os Pressan, Feral, Selcouth Station, and Red Dirt Forum/Press. He also writes short fiction and the occasional rant.