the pictures are all hanging
up in my room now,
Memories stained within, each
crisp white border surrounding
Times and Places and Thoughts


each one is absolutely dreadful -
you would know, you helped me with them a few times,
more like a million times

the wall is adorned
with uneven lines, too much
light; not enough light;
photographs with dust
and scratches,
and an Exposure that was probably a
second too long

we'd laugh about them all,
you used to poke fun at me
while I pretended to insult yours too; mostly
unsuccessful attempts because I'm
not terribly funny and yours were Lovely anyway
but now you've Disappeared and I am
disillusioned, thinking you'll
appear again sometime soon.

If I were to be perfectly honest, I'd
tell you I miss you but
it's odd because you never left
I know you miss me
too, though

because we created
Memories, of
Times and Places
and Thoughts
together, we were
Lovely, oh so Lovely

but we risked
Exposure, and it was
a risk that wasn't worth taking.
because maybe if we stayed silent
others wouldn't have made you
uncomfortable, and you
wouldn't have Disappeared from me

we could've had something
beautiful, you know
a beautiful, arcane love
but I Believe now
that I am better and stronger
and I have you to thank.