she isn’t the one
that washed your shirt just to keep the insides
smelling of her
        he isn’t the one
that recorded your voice
only to smash the tape
	

        she is the one
that folded your blanket around her face
to keep the imprint on top of your bed
        he is the one
singing someone else to sleep,
hoping to keep your memories at bay




we are not the ones we used to be
and I have no reason not to say it now.


11/20/2006
Author's Note: 
I keep to myself
and don't venture near your words.

Posted on 11/21/2006
Copyright © 2025 Ava Blu

Member Comments on this Poem
Posted by Gabriel Ricard on 04/21/09 at 01:20 AM
There's such a great image in this of memory, being able to reach as far back as possible to make something as though it's just happening or just recently happened. I also really like that first stanza.