it took me nearly a year
to remove the alcohol card from my wallet
belonging to the movie theater
where we had our last date,
before everything fell apart
you’d think it’s strange
how vividly i remember it
i offered you some of my cherry beer
to which you declined,
one year premature
and that’s when the curtains closed
a self-proclaimed alcoholic in the making
denying a quick sip
before the dim lighting of the screen
as if there was something to hide from
apart from your lack of interest
the reason i remember it?
because we never went on dates
i was surprised you’d made the effort
and set aside a few dollars to spend the night with me
they say you know before you know
and i knew
clutching onto my beer
that you had no desire for,
identical to myself
but i didn’t want it to be true
and there i sat
watching the picture unwind
falling apart,
two at a time