Ratio by Tobias Maxwell

The devastation that loss brings
Shocks the stamina, unnerves the system.
Pain is measured in miniscule increments
Like the dissemination of a thousand cuts
Layered on an inch of perilous skin.
 
The call to action of our consciousness
Elevates momentarily before retreating into stillness.
The rallying cry will not happen any time soon.
The refraction from your absence will take time,
Will likely never manifest itself too clearly.
 
The empty chair, the unopened cupboards with
Their dustiness, will all replace you in real time.
Only echoes will abide the sounding of your name.
People will liken it to a reverie of sorts, effacing grief
As though it were a ratio: Me minus you equals zero.

About the Poet:

Tobias Maxwell is the author of three novels, The Month After September, Thomas, and The Sex and Dope Show Saga; a novella, And Baby Makes Two; three memoirs, 1973—Early Applause, 1977—The Year of Leaving Monsieur, and 1983—The Unknown Season; as well as a poetry collection, Homogium. The Gay and Lesbian Review Worldwide published his poem, We Were Always There, in their November-December 2020 issue. His article, Bi the Bi, was published in the online Gay & Lesbian Review Worldwide in March, 2020. His poetry has appeared on  the Ephemeral Elegies website throughout 2020.  A short story, The Appointment, was in the fall 2018 issue of Worlds Magazine available online. Other articles have appeared in Balita and Mom…Guess What newspapers, LA Edge, Art & Understanding, New Century and The California Therapist magazines. His one-act play, The Mary Play, was republished in 2014 by Black Lawrence Press in Art & Understanding: Literature from the First Twenty Years of A&U. You can find more by visiting his website and blog at: tobiasmaxwell.com