soft rock

it isn’t nature’s way,

letting go of you.

it’s synthetic

like the threads on a skirt i picked up

and thought you might like

the cosmetic elongation of my eyelashes

and the extension of my belief that you may

someday return. getting done up in

a look you’ll never see but you could

in every corner there’s a glimpse of you.

my shadow holds your hand

my ears prick up in movie theaters

at the mention of things you liked

but never told me.

i think i could’ve loved you

if you stuck around,

or maybe i’d have realized you were human

and i’d have had the courage

to get up and find myself.