her perfume

when she died
you saved a clipping
of her hair.
a scarf, a sweater,
the socks she used
to wear
in winter. there
was a small bottle
of perfume too.
white linen.
and as the weeks
went on after her
death, you'd
lean into and
let a slight spray
fill the hollow of
your hand, your
heart. then you
stopped
and let her go
to where she needed
to go. keeping
only the empty
bottle.