Your release was like seeing
The details of leaves
For the very first time.

Before, I only saw in watercolors,
A pretty image diluted in
Mistakes easily erased.

So perfect was your work
Full of falsified fantasies of our future  
Everyone but me could see
The details of our leaves.

Time would reveal
The fruit of your labors
As they soured into acid that ate away
The concealed cracks of your character.

Now, the flaws are on full display,
Unfiltered, unchanged.
Because of you, I now see
The details of our leaves.

If you were a book,
I'd read you again.

If you were a ride,
I'd wait in line.

If you were my dream,
I'd never awaken.

If you were a star,
I'd never look down.

If you were a flower,
I'd never look up.

If you were mine,
I don't know what I'd do;
But I'd do it.

The grinding of espresso beans
Intensifies with each tap of the keyboard,
Students eyeing the clock
As the deadline draws near.

The corner girl convenes with her tutor,
Listening intently as he, enthusiastically,
Teaches the Pythagorean Theorem
At $125 an hour.

“Decaf-non-fat-sugar-free-tall-caramel-latte,
With an extra shot of caramel, please.”
The bemused barista smiles
As she eyes the empty tips jar.

Every small square table is occupied
With souls sipping on overpriced coffee:
Who knew one could find such thrill
Observing others like it's a hobby.

If I could turn back time
I would hit Backspace all day,
Id put on Caps Lock
and SHOUT what I say.

I'd use the whole Alphabet
To tell you hello,
Press seven Numbers
Til you picked up the phone.

I'd Tab through the comments
I didn't want to hear,
And use the Arrow Keys
To drag your body near.

I would Delete the harsh words
I didn't mean to speak,
And Insert the "I love yous"
I before couldn't leak.

I would use Ctrl to
Keep reigns over my heart,
And I would Escape lies
That tore us apart.

I'd Print out your photo
And kiss it goodnight,
Use the Calculator
To check that we were right.

I'd Paint you a picture
of us, you and me,
Then I'd hit Enter
Just so you would see.

Those are the things
I would do in my strife,
If only Backspace
worked in real life.

Funny how easy
Loves appears to be, until
It laughs with the other easily
Reconcilable "maybes"
That devalue your first "hello".

First, it began as "hello".
Little did you know how
Interested he would be in you, but
Reflecting on it now, you see how those
Tender tendencies weren't exclusive.

Finally, all you have left is "hello",
Like every other girl he knows.
Inevitably, you're one of many
Recycled pretties that thought
They were more than another "maybe".