the ash of a wednesday

watercolor jacaranda leaves flutter to the ground

under the bare feet we walk on, casually

the sun bakes our shoulders and the glitter on my face from last night

there’s no breakfast like the things you won’t say to me

your body, a heart as sacred soil, fenced in and desert-like

with flowers dried and decomposing on what is left

every time you back up your car without looking

i scream internally and love the way the sunset plays across your nose as we drive

you carried me down the mountain when my ankle hurt after that hike we so stupidly did, wading through

the ash of a wednesday

i need you to understand that we were hugging, from across the table,

the first time I looked into your eyes, and you smiled back

it wasn’t just that I thought about holding you, it was like you

were already holding me

cupping your hand over my soft shoulders, before pulling me even closer,

like you will do this; will take care of me; forever

i will always worship at the altar of our bodies embracing

softly, at sunset, your hands around my waist

mostly obscured by blankets and only the light from outside

you’re an impressionistic version of yourself, which is

a hardened necessity so i can forget this temporality

because i don’t want this to be a mistake

because i love you

it’s too bad—and trust me, I wish I could pull different words and devotions out of you—but you will

always say in the end,

that I am too much and you that you don’t love me