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# Ode to the Not-Here
- URL: https://www.andyposner.org/ode-to-the-not-here/
- Published: 2025-05-10T05:38:59.000Z
- Updated: 2026-07-18T20:58:08.000Z
- Description: Love, before loss, is an ode to here: the softness of shampooed fur, the quickening of a thousand nerve endings in each fingertip each time you pet him, the scratch of paws running to greet you.
- Author: Andy
- Tags: poetry, #Migrated-1784090317409, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-15 04:39

Love, before loss, is an ode to *here*:  
the softness of shampooed fur,  
the quickening of a thousand nerve endings  
in each fingertip each time you pet him,  
the scratch of paws running to greet you.

After, you walk into your office and find  
his bed still holds the impression of him.  
You hold your breath. Turn down the air.  
Tiptoe out into the hall and down the stairs  
he would follow you down even if you promised  
you'd be right back. You step into the sunlit  
yard, where he would nap until he was panting  
in that way that radiated happiness.

Kneeling in his favorite spot, it hits you:  
*here* has given way to *not-here*  
like a stick of butter melted in the pan,  
the air gone heavy—  
burned and sweet.