still, she was here

can she still be here
if she never really was here?

my eyes skim over pebbles on the ground
i imagine they shift next to one another
to form her name in the dirt

my eyes skim over sticks on the ground
i imagine picking one up in my hands
to draw her name in the dirt

i do not rearrange the pebbles
i do not reach for the stick

but still, she was here in my mind
keeping me company as i watch the boys play

still, she was here

she was here.