I tried to tickle my vegan fancy
With bushels of quinoa and kale,
I was told no meat or dairy
Was the healthy Holy Grail.

But I was sad and hungry
With every burger I declined,
See me toss away my salad bowl,
I’m in a sirloin state of mind.

I filled my fridge with veggies,
Bean sprouts and legumes,
But I dreamt of pancetta
And links of sausage to consume.

Breakfast was plain yogurt
Lunch was collard greens,
Snacks were roasted edamame,
****, they’re just soy beans.

I was getting much too skinny,
My ribs were protruding,
I became short-tempered,
And was dark and brooding.

I covered all the mirrors,
I looked so pale and pasty,
All day I would salivate,
Craving something hot and tasty.

My vegan days are over
Enjoying pork chops, ham and bacon
I thought veggies were the answer,
But it seems I was mistaken.

Feel free to live off plants,
If you are so inclined,
But I’m firing up the grill,
I’m in a sirloin state of mind.

My mind nauseous
and heart numb
over hearing  
three heavy words.

It so sharply stabbed the air that we were floating in
blowing through the breeze.

I can still remember the sound of your voice that night.
no
no
no
Please do not,
do not tell me you love me.
Because you do not even realize
that you do not mean it.
You are lying.
When you tell me you love me,
it strongly stings the roof my mouth and burns my ears vibrantly.

Please promise me one thing.
Promise me you’ll remember.
Remember the late night December kisses.
Remember the long car rides with our hands locked.
Remember the last minute plans,
and the nervous laughs and the roaming hands.
Remember the judgmental friends,
the strict parents.
Remember the mistakes,
the words we wished we said, the words we wished we never said.
Remember me.
I will remember you,
Please
Remember
Me.

And just for the record,
I hope one day you can say three heavy words,
and mean it.

(let’s dance the night away in humid August weather, let’s dance on top of our ruins and forget the lonely songs of yesterday.)

*-andrea

We don't have to pretend out here.

i love you.