Notable Absence
Rachel Weber

In the winter, when you're away,

I imagine the world mourns with me.

The candy floss clouds turn dark in suspension,

The bus on Canal street runs late, and the milk sours seconds faster.

When ice grows on the oak, I do the things I can't when you're here.

I let the hair on my legs entwine, the soy sauce on my chin congeal.

I watch Oprah and sob, sing Abba with my mouth full.

On Christmas day, the only stockings I see are wrapped in gaudy paper,

A present from Aunty Ena to wear as I eat my radioactive meal for one.

And then suddenly it's spring, the world rises groggily from slumber,

And finds me shaved and scrubbed and scented.

The house dusted, the cushions laid on the couch in order of shade.

Everything ready so I can tell you I didn't even notice you were gone.

显见的离别

雷切尔.韦伯

冬天，失去了你

我也就失去了自己。这个世界

有太多的悲伤。棉花糖般的

云彩，正陷入黑暗的境地

康纳尔大街上公车迟迟不来，我手中的

牛奶啊，更快地变酸、在一点点失去香气

当冰凌挂满橡树枝头，我在做着

在你面前从不敢做的一切：

长发盘结我的双腿，调味酱板结我的下巴

看奥普拉我却哭泣，唱赞歌我却满嘴食物

这个圣诞，想着你啊

微波快餐更是味如嚼蜡。唯一的礼物

一双长筒丝袜，伊娜阿姨

将它包装得似锦、如花。穿上它

恍然间我看到了春天、看到了这个世界

正摇摇晃晃地从我的睡梦中醒转

刮一把须，洗一把脸，让香水

除去满屋的尘土，让衬垫

回归躺椅，回归它有图案般的美丽。让一切

都准备好了。我多么想对你说

我从未注意到啊，你早已离我远去