forever, girl

dink-dank,
a long
handled spoon
againstaglass
of late afternoon iced-tea.

the sun melts
us.
sweating
away nevers
on a bruised porch.

our swing.
our life.
our kids.
our choices.

the plains
stretch
past the past
we left behind.

a newer
you,
the old me,
x's and o's.

forever, girl.
we said forever, girl.

and

she said:
i don't want to be
in love with you anymore.

he said:
i was never
in love with
you or anyone. i don't know
what love is, just like
jane says.

it's not
this, though,
the leaves
are a beautifulorange.

and
ya useta
smell so good,
like
the last day of school.

but
thats probably
not enough, that's not "it"
and won't be.
even even even
if we try harder and pretend
the yellow
brick
road
isn't specked
with blood.

will you
remember to
close the door
when you leave for a week
without saying bye. or hi, when you return
with bags under your eyes, and a new
smell.
a new, i'vefallenagainpleasehelp, smell.

and i do. and i do. and i do.

but this is the last time.
babe, this is the last time
I
fix you.