brush your teeth
when he says he enjoys your company
gargle those words
extract all of the salt from them
let it do what oceans do
let them eb and flow
between your lips and the exit
and when the sun goes down,
get into your car and drive
because you don’t live here
you can’t build a rocking horse in the sand
i mean, you could
but you shouldn’t
don’t fool yourself into believing
that he can actually see you
just because he remembers
your favorite scarf
he will not see you
until he takes off her glasses
and when he pulls you closer
use his grip to contain your disappointment
do not allow resentment to cloud
the crystal through which you look
to see the inner circles of your own happiness
and when the cerulean-jay flutters your hair
pull up your socks
and step into the puddles
knowing that there will always be
someone offering you a warmer pair.