Scavenger

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We were loosely holding hands around the fire pit when you told me,

“If you were a bird you’d be a flamingo”

To which I took great offense, insisting I would be a bird of prey - powerful & graceful. 

You simply laughed, put out your cigarette in the way that you do and stood to go inside.


When it came to loving you, 

I was a raven.

Collecting tokens of affection to lay at your threshold.

Small items or objects that encompass my love for you,

The thought of you as I wandered through neighborhoods and cities and forestry.


A scavenger.


Waiting, watching from branches swooped low.

Fluttering with anticipation as your fingers would sweep across the treasures.


And it is likely we were lost in translation,

 I could only blink blankly

When you told me I didn’t listen to you


Resist the urge to shift foot from foot,

Point to each item and tell you:


“This is every note between the two of us, every penny I pocketed, ticket stubs, Polaroids, wine corks, flower petals.”


“White nail polish, carton of juice, yellow sunflowers, friendship bracelets, copper mugs and wine glasses.”


All my love laid out in the most ordinary way.


Now I collect letters unaddressed

Lines in poems, unwritten.


With nowhere to leave them.

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