Today I'm 37
your 36,

Our words
dance between
words,

our one sided
questions
always leave
me on
guard preparing
for the
next attack.

but that is
not how
we used
to be,

once we
were kind
and gentle
and simple
almost to
a fault.

when love
didn't have
to be defined
or caged
or bled
dry from
our hearts.

when I love
you
meant I
loved you.

not a dictionary
of words
and predetermined
feelings and
obligations.

I remember it
well,
you were 12
I was 13
it was
a hot summer
day,

we were
playing in
your blow up
pool in
your back
yard.

and it
was the first
time I
had ever
seen you
in your
one piece
black nylon
bathing suit.

and love was
never to
be the
same again.