This piece is inspired by the innumerable romance novels I’ve been reading since the winter term ended a few weeks ago. High on my rec list Riggs & Foxx focused novels by Victoria Wilder and the Empyrean Series by Rebecca Yarros. 

I said: “I love you.”
I said: “I fell in love with you.”
I said: “I needed you.”

I still need you
I hate that I am feel this way
    I hate that your talons are still in my core
I hate that I can’t let you go
   I hate that I miss you
I hate the way you impact my life
   I hate the way I want one more conversation
     I hate the way you lit me up
I hate how life afforded us perfect moments
    I hate most of all
       how you just left

The snow fell that night
   I was in my mustard hued
             wool trench coat
       with a cigarette in hand
   Malborough T-shirt
        Kiss Me Please boxers

All I wanted was to inhale you
   feel you all over my flesh
       your eyes relent

  The first time you really  saw me
        knew me

     An arrogant brow furrowed
        optics that plead
     and a tombstone
         which SCREAMS
    tomorrow will NEVER
        come for me