Parting Away Poem by Ajit Das

When you went away,
you left behind a host of items.

I made an inventory:
an eyebrow pencil, a broken comb,
a bottle of perfume half empty,
night gown slinging from the chair,
slippers lying near the door mat,
old journals scattered on the shelf.
I felt no desire to keep them.

But you also left behind memories
of secret words, stolen kisses,
bashful glances, whispers, laughter,
intimate days we lived together.
Your wafting presence lingers on.
I clutch it fondly close to my heart.