The Argument: Part 2

DEAR JACOB 

FORGIVENESS

I don't forgive you. I won't forgive you, but I will try. Well, that's a lie. I don't want you to skim around my feelings and cheat me. It's not fair. It's not right.

You claimed your love. You wrote it with a kiss and your tears. How can you not give us a try? The chance is not lost. Your love is not lost.

I can't forgive you for igniting hope, for telling me that it's in my soul. The capture, the intrigue, your love. The dare to spew such music and take the grant away.

I don't forgive you. I can't. I won't.

TASTE

Your taste. The cherry blossoms. The first day of spring. The birth reviving my life. My pulse dimmed but then your fingers brushed along my lower back, along my jaw, along the crane of my neck.

Your taste. The maple syrup on the breakfast pancakes. The chirrup ballade of the noon sun. My lips frowned a little but then your feet wrapped my toes, held them tight and warm, and your hair tangled near my cheeks.

DEAR SIMON

LIAR

I'm not a liar

Don't make it sound like I am

My love is true but inattentive

'Cause yes, there is someone else

Yes, I found someone new

You're the one who walked away

You're the one who said that you couldn't stay

And bear to see my broken self

So, I didn't ask

I didn't beg and scream and shout

Your weakness wasn't my strength

What difference would it make?

You left

BLAME

No blame and punishment for your grievance

No source of attack or anger

You did your best

You tried to mend and default your strength

But you needed me more

You craved what you could not repay

There's no shame

And I understand

And I forgive

But please understand me

I deserve to falter and fall

Scrape my knees and blister my soles

Be fragile and brittle

So, please believe me

I don't blame you

You couldn't stay to cradle me and protect

You had your own demons to abate