Distraction

All I thought about

when I was with you

was you.

I could have loved you 

had not your swift goodbye

so easily reminded me of the reasons

I still think of another.

I never wanted to realize

everything you are not. 

Family

Her mother tried to snap

one too many pictures. 

The moment at the coffee shop

was unnecessarily captured. 

And I was captured by the necessary

realization that I need

to be annoyed by a family

taking too many pictures. 

Crows Feet

Defeat is etched in the corner

of her eyes

like the rings of a tree

or the silver ring

never swiveled around her finger. 

She can temporarily smooth

it over with a smile

of desperation

while she laughs at the words 

of men much younger. 

Writing prompt: Don't let go

Don't let go of how you criticize

everything I do. 

For once, I have thought less. 

Don't let go of pretending 

to care so equally because 

the realization of falsehood

is too much for one. 

Don't let go of trying to control me. 

Don't let go of me. 

I still need someone

to hold me. 

Drink

They left with barely a goodbye

and you are too intoxicated

to realize that

loneliness isn't cured

by strangers sitting 

at your table 

but by that warm feeling 

resting inside your chest. 

That is what will tuck

you into sleep tonight.