Trying to Sext My Partner, Who Replies “I…

In this love at midlife, without

photos, without thighs or hipbones,

long moments where nothing happens—

oh sorry, just seeing this

a dent in the couch

from too many movie nights, from years

of sitting in the same spot

I’m lost, did you send something

and one less shadow, our kid

in college and their room empty

down the hall

maybe this isn’t our thing

the quilt I bought for myself

covered in cat hair or an actual cat,

folded in half

I was getting the coffee ready

so when I ask, Do you still find me desirable?

what’s missing are the three

little dots, the cue someone’s texting back.

Source: Poetry (March 2026)