Tell me a nice story.
One where trust
and honesty are still a thing.

Part the sky
and let your love fall out
in little stars.

Those above
And those below
Some stay
Some never go

make a wish
let the coin touch your lips
reach far
hear it splash
watch it drown
the gods will hear you out

you looked so hopeful
I ate all the happiness
you're so blue
you don't like darkness

I'm your last sacrifice
make your wish
kiss my cheek
slipping away
I'll take the dive
watch me drown
the gods hear me now

Suddenly, a bang
fired, astray in the air
just after eight pm,
when the church bell
tolled for prayers
invoking the restless
dead in purgatory,
my mother halted
her litany of all saints
to uncover, check,
count our bodies still
on the palm mat-
covered wooden floor
cold in August;
I quickly got up
to look for tan Olive
that did not howl,
its usual noise after
a loud gunshot
echoing for a while
as if to remind,
our dog lying
down on the corner
where I placed
a bowl of sour soup,
under its belly
the puppies lining up
for warm licks.

The hardest part
Will be the days that come after.
Prepare your heart.

You are my unsent message.
The cursor blinking rhythmically,
With my heartbeat,
Waiting,
For me to hit send.
But I am not ready,
And I’m not sure if I ever will be
So I left it like that.
Unsent. Unseen. Unread.
“I miss you.”