Who are wise in love, love most, say least.

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
still when
one of us remembers the other.