77 Words About Nothing (Tangle)

We laughed along the way –

brushing our sleeves against one another’s.

I asked silly questions —

but was only curious –

Did you like flowers?

Did you love me?

It was a crash course

that tangled us in the weeds.

You carved my initials into your inner thigh

with a jagged stem –

not being careful or cautious of your artery,

you shielded me from your actions and

the tears that clung to the corners of your mouth.

Smiling.