The Pillow That Forgot My Name

I laid down
but the pillow
felt unfamiliar

as if
it had forgotten
the shape
of my sorrow

you used to sink
into the right side
soft
like forgiveness
without words

but last night
my head
met rejection

creased cotton
gave me
no comfort

I asked sleep
to carry me
but even dreams
had your name
written out

this pillow
used to know
my breath
used to echo
your silence

now
it’s just
a square of cloth
without memory
or mercy