chipped

empty glass, a chipped mug.
i told you the truth, but it was far too late.
i missed that opportunity

late nights, soft hands.
i never felt that way before and told no one.
i let you go.

i created something beautiful and then ripped it apart.
it reminded me of you.
i wanted to forget.

you lied to me.
i told you i forgave you.
i lied and i left.

you asked if i was dating anyone.
i told you i wasn’t.
you paused.
you knew.
i changed the subject.
you told me you loved me anyway.

you kissed my cheek and asked if i was okay.
i faked a smile.
i still don’t know if you believed me.

i told you it was over.
you took me at my word.
you asked if we could make
things work.
i cried the hardest i’d ever cried with anyone.
we haven’t really
talked since.

you wrote, “am i really that frightening?”
i never wrote you back.

we were too much alike.
sometimes the silence was too loud .

you gave up.
I will never forget that.
I won't trust you again.
i love you.

these are the remnants of the ones i loved;
the ones i still do;
the ones i always will;
the ones i never will again.

i think about them sometimes, but today, i think mostly of you.
traces of juice in your glass; leftover crumbs on a plate.
so much to say but my words held no meaning.

you missed that opportunity.