We sat there for three days, spoke of nothing
      just watched the flowers die.

We put them outside, in the sun and clean air,
we gave it water, as much as it could drink.

And yet these roses chose a different path.
Sick of our presence. They wilted
They refused the water, the air.

Punished us by refusing
to continue on here among us.

All they really needed was a black flower ***
with a gold interior
and flakes of glitter in the soil.

Baby, don't you remember we love instant coffee?
Last summer, we explored the back roads of Texas
They were so dark and dry
Texas with its wild goats and red clay dirt
Its taxidermy and wind mills
Its faded billboard signs advertising
Boiled peanuts, adult cabarets or something else random
We spent all our money on gas and sugar
The stars never looked so big
Your face never looked more like heaven
We thought the world of each other
Last summer. Before the seasons changed the color of the leaves
Before we were forced to wear long pants and closed toe shoes
Before the cold air forced us to hide in our apartments
The landlord told me to lock my door
Strange things went on in that place at night
All they took were the broken hearts I kept in my big book of love
I hid in the closet
I had no time to get away
Last summer. When the morning sun shined through curtains in vain
And we laid in bed all day
Telling each other our dreams
I taught you how to be romantic
You taught me how to be brave.
I told people to keep in touch. Last summer.
They never do as I say