Breakup Landmarks

Rachel Wielgopolski

see the words

on your phone

through stinging, blurry eyes

furious scribbles in pen

smudging the cursive

that asks for her back

boxing the last things

you’ll send to her,

poems and apologies and tears

bitter words from her semi-sweet lips

as she loves you, but not like that

no one can hear you cry in your car

deleting her number

blocking her from Facebook

a month after the goodbye

a failed rebound date

ends in tears and anger

you still love her

no more poetry inspired by her

you drown in silence

as you pray for a new muse

the ice thins –

cavern-deep aches –

if I could say –

too many drinks, not enough water

drunken messages sent

to a very old friend

he remembers you

he wants to see you, too

why were you so upset again?