{Artwork by Tess Emily Rodriguez}
It’s not you
It’s me
A trigger of splits and halves
I try to convey what I want to say
And end up with a laugh
I understand exactly what you mean
Sometimes a little too well
Which in turn puts me in my feelings
Giving way for no show
But a lot of tell
Trust me
The looks are purely selfish
I thought of something
That led to this thing
And now I’m watching you intently
But to be clear
My mind may have strayed far from me
But the gutter was always near
And it’s never the plan
I mean to indicate the likes thereof
All the ways I appreciate
The affection you parade when you want
Because saying it back
Puts a wedge in this finely tuned crack
Even when I told myself it won’t
Though it continues
To melt a little ice
Inadvertently defrosting
Adding somewhat of a color to my heart
You still surprise me
With knowledge
But it’s a wonder you listen at all
Because honestly I hear words
See you say it
And unfortunately
Don’t remember half as much as you
Though I remember sixteen
So you keep Jonesy
And I’ll be
Nothing but Nikki with you
Although memory lane
Is just a jog away
And I’m pretty sure
It really isn’t me
It’s definitely, for sure
A third party
If not you.
Moe