the unrequited.

ink captures angst and hope, anchors of
‘I love you’ only
hide in ‘how are you.’

thoughts careen against the bank, the edge
shifts the sail towards the divide that leaves
a trail back home

in swells and curves that decorate
parchment in caramelized halos, I sign
‘your friend.’

creased into a ship, I send my heart and see
the ocean swallow
alphabet soup