Who are wise in love, love most, say least.
Tennyson.
For this birthday I will
give you words:
having left me
they will dry, as flowers shrinking
in a vase.
Perhaps one day when
one of us remembers the other
we will be moved to
touch these petals,
remembering perfume,
softness
and life.
I had an analogy prepared
where we are free radicals
igniting at contact.
In my mind we are flashover:
in morning when winter
has your smile,
we are quiet
and this heat
burns away only metaphors.
For this birthday I will
give you this heart:
having left me
it will beat
softness and life
even when
one of us remembers the other.
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