that my name, sounds so much sweeter when it rolls off your tongue.
I also understand that in a couple of years there will be a new girl sitting in your bedroom with the door locked, admiring the way you whisper
her name into her neck. But for now it is me, so please.
Say it again. "

...

I wrote this poem for you because
you smoked your cigarette
sitting on those steps in
just
the
right way
was it the smoke
or your breath
I saw in the brisk air
coming out of your mouth?
I’ll never know
but
I wanted to bottle it up
and watch it
change
colors in the setting sun

I wrote this poem for you because
you had a nose stud
that sparkled in
the
fading
daylight
like your laugh
in the warm record store
like your eyes
when you mistook me
for being in college
like your fork
as you ate another bite
of your apple pie
with cherry topping

I wrote this poem for you because
you talked to me
like I was your friend
and I don’t even
know
your
name

It was autumn
And like the leaves fall to the ground
I fell for you

Dressed in your
Burnt oranges and light browns
Those skintight sweaters and ankle boots
With their zippers undone and patterns exposed
Did I ever stand a chance?

It was autumn
And like the Earth falls into the sun
Your gravity pulled me in

Dressed in all
Your little giggles and slight smiles
Those hazel eyes averting mine
And your hand that would fit so well intertwined
Did I ever stand a chance?

I just wanted to stop you
When you said you can’t
And hold you
Until you knew you could

But I can’t
And I never could