10/21/2025
I still speak to you, you know.
I still say, “good morning,” when I wake up and open the curtains. Sometimes I say it aloud and sometimes I whisper it to myself.
But I still say it.
I still say, “hey you,” when I walk past your chair or your photograph. Sometimes I say it with tears in my eyes and sometimes I have a smile on my face.
But I still say it.
I still say, “what should we have for dinner?” when I get home in the evening or when I open the fridge to see what food we have in. Sometimes I say it even though I know what I want to cook, and sometimes I’m hoping you’ll give me some inspiration.
Either way, I still say it.
I still say, “it’s our song!” when it plays on the radio.
I still say, “remember this?” when I find something I’d forgotten about.
I still say, “what do you think?” when I’m trying on an outfit.
I still say, “isn’t it a lovely day?” and “guess who I saw!” and “what shall we watch?” and “goodnight”
and “I miss you.”
And I still say, “I love you.”
Whenever I see your photo. Whenever it’s a lovely day.
Whenever I miss you.
Sometimes I say it aloud, sometimes in a whisper to myself; sometimes with tears in my eyes and sometimes with a smile on my face.
But always, either way,
I love you.
And I still say it.
*****
Becky Hemsley 2024
Stunning artwork by Jolene Lai
Someone asked me to share this poem this week - it's from my book of grief and loss poetry: I Missed You Quietly Today https://amzn.to/46Qxmdt
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