what I was supposed to tell her yesterday

June 1, 2012

afraid to ask

W h e r e
a r e y o u,
l o v e ?

no longer a game of hide and seek,
whispering into arms, scurrying behind backs,
smoking in the dark, stealing kisses
by the dozen, leaving bruises, imprints
of eager teeth on trembling skin.

afraid.

of the rustle of her hair against the receiver.
of size five shoes restless, worn out soles.
of a sigh, half a liter escaping from her stale lips,
apologetic and clear, hesitant
to drop bladed words, unwilling to cut
through the murmuring static of heartbeats faded.

A breath.

(silence. I love you, still.)

and another.

12:44am