I Miss Me

I miss me

I miss the version

who didn’t pause

before answering a question

the one who didn’t need a lantern

to get through the day

⸻

I don’t miss everything

just the way she moved through a room

like it belonged to her

⸻

I miss—

…no, I don’t know what to call her

she’s gotta be in there somewhere

people don’t just disappear

do they?

⸻

I tried to find her again

even in places she would never go

Why is she avoiding me

⸻

the music still plays

I can hear it

I just don’t believe them anymore

⸻

I stand there

like I’m waiting for permission

from someone

who used to be me

⸻

I miss her

not the messy pieces

not the easy ones

just the way she didn’t think

she had to earn her place

⸻

I miss her

The one who didn’t reread her own messages a million times

I miss