for Taylor

We would laugh all night, trading swigs

from a bottle of the cheapest strawberry wine

 we could find.

We’d joke until our hearts hurt & then

some more: It’s going to be better, one day, right?

Of course.

When we cried, we curled up on the couch

that didn’t fit both of us. we let air

stir musky, cushion wet salty—

When we were angry, your tsunami met my hurricane.

For the sake of the world, we couldn’t be near

each other. You always knew that.

But our calm is a field of sunflowers

& you’re teaching me to twist

them into a crown.

The afternoon sky is all shades

of orange & pink & tomorrow

doesn’t exist.

When you’re gone, the air is empty of melody

& I can’t buy strawberry wine & everything

scares me, or maybe nothing does

because clarity is your best friend’s arms

wrapped around you whispering lies in your ear:

It’s going to be better, one day, right?