[Reprint] This is not a love poem

This is not a love poem

This is about deceit

And hurt

And vengeance

And letting go

From finger to finger

Memory from mind

This is about

How roses have thorns

And violets die

How we both grew apart

You and I

Forget those candlelit clichés

Schmaltzy hallmark sentiments

Be my one and only

Now and forever

Now all I recall

Are bright brutal eyes

Keen edge of lips

Barbed passion carving those words you'd speak

Losing you wasn't hard

No weepy farewell

Nor unfeigned regret

We parted as we came

Whole and intact

So why then

Am I missing you

A stranger

No more who walked out my door

Perhaps I'm waiting—

For that final moment

—you say the words

That I can't say

To take us back to yesterday.

~ "This Is Not A Love Poem"

{Peter Huen Kam Fai}