We all wanted a love like in the movies—
pouring, fateful rain,
a drenched dress,
a hungry and sloppy
long awaited kiss,
a passionately late love confession,
desperate hands grasping
at each others faces.

The slow burning flame
that is called limerence—
a spring fling,
a "puppy love",
fleeting emotions—
heaven-struck in lust.

Borrowed time
and stolen dances,
whispered promises in
entrancing glances—
we called it forever,
only to call it in ignorance,
what once felt infinite
was smothered in an instance.

Hey, Suzy K.
I heard we're in the same math class,
were you ever good?
I was always a hack.

Hey, Suzy K.
Did you do the assignment?
Could I copy some of your answers?
I promise the teacher wouldn't mind it.

Hey, Suzy K.
I really like your hair—
it sits nicely on your fine shoulders,
and it's quite beautifully rare.

Hey, Suzy K.
Would you like to go the dance?
We could make quite the pair,
so would you give me a chance?

Hey, Suzy K.
I'd like to make you mine;
I know we're still young,
but I don't want to waste any time.

Hey, Suzy K.
I'd like to take you out to dine—
I promise it'll be worthwhile,
and I'll have you back no later than 9.

Hey, Suzy K.
That was really quite the kiss,
I'm glad you could be my first,
certainly not a miss.

Hey, Suzy K.
I guess it was a puppy love,
just high-school sweethearts,
never meant to make it past the clubs.

Hey, Suzy K.
I heard you're going away,
to study the marine life.
I'll be here if you need a place to stay.

Hey, Suzy K.
Do you remember our first kiss?
Gosh, all this time has passed,
and still, you're quite the misses.

Hey, Suzy K.
I got married this past spring,
we're expecting by the fall,
I even gave her the ruby ring.

Hey, Suzy K.
I heard our kids are in math together—
could you believe the coincidence?
Maybe they'll be tighter than ever!

Hey, Suzy K.
I heard about your husband.
I'm sorry for your loss—
let me know if you need a friend.

Hey, Suzy K.
Thanks for the pie;
it's been a hard loss to grieve,
but you make me feel fine.

Hey, Suzy K.
Can you believe all this time?
We've both got gray hair,
and we've been aging like wine.

Hey, Suzy K.
I've got nurses changing bags of *****;
they say my memory is slipping away—
maybe you can stop in before I go to the loony bin.

Hey, Suzy K.
I really miss my wife,
could you stay for a while longer?
It's really been a miserable life.

Hey, Suzy K.
Do you remember our first kiss?
I can't exactly place it,
I just remember it was bliss.

Hey, Suzy.
It's hard to see in this sterile light,
is it just me,
or is that my wife?

The existential weight of the world
rests heavy on my shoulders.
I've worn myself down to the bone,
and found peace in grief that smolders.

I eat enough to carve a name from within,
but never enough to keep afloat.
I'm trapped in a cave—
with an opening so thin,
I'd starve myself to death,
just to see the light at the end.

I seek love in the morning sun
and strip myself of joy in the hollow night.
I'm a liar and a hypocrite—
for I tell beautiful lies,
mesmerizing those who seek faith,
while I pray each night,
to meet a peaceful fate.

I walk in sonder,
blowing kisses to babies,
smiling to strangers—
always stopping to smell the daisies.

I almost cry, passing forgotten souls,
many names faded on headstones.
And still I ponder:
if I were to let go,
could I ever atone?

It's all getting so dark again,
and I find solace in a dimly lit phone—
a rectangle emitting light in my shadows,
a keyboard where my fingers clash,
as I'm anxious and desperate
to articulate how I feel,
to put it into words for people to read,
wondering if people can see me.

You.
Do you see me?
Do you hear me?
Do you feel me?

Is anyone out there,
who can feel how I feel?
Who sees me—
in all my ruin,
all my grace,
all my love,
It's all so dark again.

And I'm so tired.
And I'm holding onto the hope
that someone,
anyone,
can see me.

It starts like a low tide—
subtle,
pretty, even.

But inch by inch,
the dark creeps in
til' suddenly—
dusk hits.

The tide becomes a tidal wave,
and all at once,
the darkness slams you into a haze.

You have no choice but to succumb,
the voices tell you there's no other option,
while staring down the barrel of a gun—
that this is all you have left.
So you drown in your sorrow
leaving behind all regret.

We were like two ships;
passing in the night—
except,
we weren't passing each other at all,
we were circling each other,
over,
and over—
swept into a whirlpool,
strung along for a relentless cycle,
until we reached the pit,
and we sank to the bottom,
forgotten,
as if the ships never set sail.

I say I don't care,
and I continue my days.
I say I don't care—
but I still search for your gaze.

I say "I don't care!"
and smile for my friends,
but the moment I turn—
my heart quietly descends.

I say I don't care,
and try to feel whole,
I say I don't care—
but I remain hopeful.

I say I don't care,
and that it doesn't matter,
I say I don't care—
yet I still set my heart on the platter.

I say I don't care,
but I urge to give you my all,
I say I don't care—
while I helplessly fall.