it was selfish of me
to show up
at your door
so late
while you were
with family

but it had been
two days since
i’d seen you
thirty-six hours since
your world upturned

i knew there were
no words
that would
provide comfort
no touches
that would
lessen the pain
nothing
that would
bring her back

but i wanted anyway
for you
to hear
and feel
that you
were loved
and my disembodied voice
cutting in and out
due to bad reception
in our inner-city neighborhood
and the few lines
of text and symbols
on a cold glass screen
would never
suffice

also
i just
really
needed
to hug you