don’t say i did it to hurt you
because, really, i didn’t
my only intention
was to hurt myself

one’s gaze caresses
unforgotten outlines
hesitation to live
again

the train rolled relentlessly
chattering rhythmically along the rails.

skinny children,
business men.

the ripe smell of tired bodies,
unkempt,
unloved.

no one would dare
scream

why would i say "i love you"?
maybe it's because you remind me of poetry.
i love you and every little rhyme,
i cherish every syllable of you.

i would say "i love you" because your beauty could outshine every rain any day.
i say "i love you" because, simply put,
i do

"I'm an open book"
She says

Written in
code.

In the middle of this pandemic
At least I have you
My beautiful girl by the river
sharing coffee as the day begins
Wondering together
If things will ever be
as they once were

He was imperfect
He was young
She loved him
She was crazy
She wasn’t so pretty
He loved her

He had doubts
He had challenges
She loved him
She was naïve
She was carefree
He loved her

He was smart
He was cute
She loved him
She got brains
She had talent
He loved her

He lied
He cheated
She loved him
He became rude
He was difficult
She loved him

He was scared
He was reckless
She cared
He was arrogant
He was insensitive
She was hurt

He ignored her
He hurt her more
She became different
He cheated more
He cheated carelessly
She ignored him

He became scarce
He cut off ties
She survived
He was addicted
He was pitiful
She had empathy

He fell
She brought him up
He got sick
She nursed him to health
She slipped
He didn’t catch her
He got into trouble
She turned her back on him

He wanted her back
She didn’t
It was too late
She felt nothing for him

She was,
A diamond he got
She was,
A diamond he lost