Why Can’t I Be Her?

A Poem

Photo by Na Inho on Unsplash

i still remember that day —
beach fire, unholy hour,
sunset like flames on the horizon —
and i couldn’t take my eyes off
you and her.

and there was laughter,
there was fun to be had,
there was distraction aplenty

yet
i couldn’t look away
from you and her.

i still feel the burn of it
as if it’s followed me even now,
months reeling afterward,
and i wonder if i’ll ever know
what it’s like to let go.

and there are good times
and bad times too
but most of all

i think
of you and her
in your latest selfie.

i still try to erase moments
when i thought i could keep you,
but she snagged you
and made you hers
so easily, so easily.

and there’s you
and there’s me
and there’s no point