The Collector
He surrounds himself
with art, as his way
of bringing her back,
or at least finding ways
to be close to her again.
Free-form sculptures
become a silent homage
to the one who inspired him,
who breathed life into his
once-nascent understanding
of everything.
The halls of his home are full
and empty at the same time,
a solemn procession of tributes
to the very one who cannot
return to see them.
All are cold, smooth,
motionless— just like her pale lips
on the last day she was here.
Claire Juno, © 2016
vindicating vashti 