Post Breakup Writer’s Block

No words
no combinations of words
no ideas—no thoughts at all
then and when erased
banished by the impact of now

Nothing in the tool kit
but platitudes, conclusions
time-worn adjectives—like that one—
hackneyed expressions, aphorisms
things said that, on further thought
need to be said differently
or can’t, really, be said at all.

The dry dust of instant coffee
in the bottom of my cup
no scent, no aroma, no feeling, no life
no steam without the boiling water.