To The One I Leave Behind

Don’t bring out the curtains just yet
Or repaint the bedroom,
It’s too soon to be doing that.
Just open the windows wide,
Let the sun in during the day
And air it out at night.
But take out the plants,
Place them in the patio
For once let them see the unfiltered sun–
Let their leaves feel the unconditional breeze.
Undress the mattresses and launder the sheets,
Hang them in the backyard where they can play–
Swaying with the wind all day.
Let them soak in the smell of flowers
Until they blossom like one.

And you, do not think of me sadly
I may not be here but I will always be with you,
Dreaming of you, wondering
If you’re sleeping sweetly like you always do.
Look at the night sky when you’re lonely—as I will
We’ll count the stars together
As we usually do.
So don’t shed a tear,
Instead shower me with a thousand smiles
And a hundred kisses;
Enough to carry with me in my travels.
That way, when I think of you
I’ll think of your cheeks and your eyes—
Of wide airy spaces, of green leaves,
Of downy sheets, of soft cloth;
And how happy we will be when I return
In your arms