i hang up a few seconds
after my voice breaks
and you do not notice.

i would never leave you,
and you would never leave me

but sometimes that's not how separation works.

// sometimes, it's the discovery of earth
light catching on the morning dew of a wildflower --

// sometimes, it's the seasons and land,
and all the things we swore it wouldn't be --

// sometimes, it's the imperceptible release of breath after exchanged
missed calls, untapped voice messages, late texts --

i guess
what i cannot say,
in so many words,
is that we are sampling different forbidden fruit:

pomegranate seeds, red fingertips, greek mythology,
rich springs & flowery deaths // maternal love be damned --

(and i can taste it.)

so,

when you finally turn back to see it,
don't chew on the pith.

this space,

(

i

will

still

love

you

.

)