ferns in memoriam
in the room of you

the four walls   the plaster         so what
we would have had a life
together not just be alive
together
                                                  so what

I’ve learned to lose the leaves
the old days
          reminisce in new nostalgia
created   from a new & better era

my body alcohol’s punching bag
but the nights!    no straight-edge
James    nerdy
                       yes     but one that
lets me lets me lets me
grieve in the light

(originally published in In Parentheses, Spring 2020)