Encounter

Absently, I opened the medicine cabinet 
in my folks’ house (searching for a comb), 
then stood stunned as you wafted out 
like a genie, so generous with cologne 
and aftershave, I glanced behind me. 
The room wavered like my knees. 
Staring into that worn square of shelves, 
I wondered, Has she kept everything? 
Two years later, even your shaving brush 
bristles from its cup amid the scents 
of you spruced up, agenda laid, ready to go.
Alone, does she press this latch to summon you,
who left without giving notice? Will it 
ever become easier to let you out the door?