he calls me

after that conversation

late in the night

refreshments having been taken

me waxing poetical on saudades

that Portuguese word

me having my own

missing person romance

& him not listening

to top notes

but getting the melody

bittersweet underneath

call her he said

like that would be easy

not taking into account

me moving on her getting along

being different people now

time’s erosion

frozen winds

dead salt & poor living

creating other shapes

in each other

that might be more

than a little mistake

not fitting together

like we were once

i smell cowardice he says

excuses & poor reasons

amongst that bullshit

you being afraid

to be where you need be