It’s a smile
I’ve barely seen
mystery made of necessity
of muslin and mesh
Masks that fail to hide
the happy furrows
bloomed for me
just so
a tilt of the head
geometric poetry
for one still starved for words
It’s enough
not more or less
reassurance worried
from what I got
I’d had it on the top shelf
up where I leave my better intentions
packed it away
for a visit that wasn’t to be
not yet
not before it went bad
if sparkling water can even do that
Probably just goes flat
deflates over time
like ego and certainty
bubbles that pop with exposure
to the wider world
I like it better
this second time round
what I’d set aside for you
grown more meaningful
in all that’s still unsaid
all I will say
if time is on our side
My daily dose
of losing you
trying my best
to try
Small misery
this love
albatross adorned
with tasteful millstone
It’ll be worse tomorrow
forgetting today
credit paid
in slow crawl
Another time then
if it’s all the same to you
unprompted confession
we can forget together
momentary truth
No promises
it won’t happen again
only that the words
will be different
sentiment the same
I’m prone to love
specifically you
another time then
if it’s all the same
It might always be the last time
I hear from you
a phrase preceding sadness
happy here
half so at least
When your replies stop
I play pretend
tell myself the mundane stories
we never share
unrequited obsolescence
I’ll put them in a letter
someday
maybe
all the loves unwritten
the words unfound
I’ll leave
if you like
half-formed words on your lips
to that end
I’d prefer to stay
know that
for today
when you think of tomorrows to come
Paint run ragged
canvas without edge
Keep at it
if you like
picture an end
that isn’t the two of us
I gave up awhile back
let the cans crust over
took a proper look
It’s not so bad
at a distance
perspective and love
and art
if we’re generous
with ourselves
I want to cry with you
swallow sadness like a sword
to pierce this outsize heart
enlarged of late at least
We’ve made a space
with edges still unknown
happiness in the foundation
but not enough for love
Make misery with me
place memory in mortar
help brick up a house
of all we’ve failed to forget
Best I can do
is love you less
a symptom
of the special stupid
leftover from your smile
Wring these words
for all their worth
for love
when you want it
and when you don’t
I love you
as inconvenient as that might be
for the nameless fear
bound to bound
in a space
smaller
than before
You are loved
fear and all
Half so Happy 