If you were a poem
I would be an oxford comma
just as
you declared us
forever

If I were locked in verse
you would be
my
exclamation point

autumn I see you waking up
a lover sleeping too long
my soul is hungry
how long will you
make me wait
for crisp days
when will you
brush my hair once more
with cool fingers
the exhilaration of October
just steps away
coming up behind me
to hold me in strong arms

I climbed inside your head
kicking and thrashing
I heard you yelp
and giggle
when it tickled
you cried out in pain
when I showed you
our history
in a petri dish

what was I thinking
still tied up in blue laces
hopeful faces
of flowers even as they fade
under autumn skies
laughing
don’t you know we will
be back