Because of course, after all the slightly awkward ankle turning
The twist of a head and a hand in a pocket and a long strange look
A strangled sense of the thing I had hoped to happen happening
I gave you my number
And you gave me your email
And I folded first,
A tender house of cards
Never one for poker
I said that I shown the manifesto you gave me to a boy
A Catholic Boy
For they were the kinds of boys I knew back then
And I was working on the rest of the “how to rock” list
But I missed your reply
I was outside the house
My ex had vomited in the cab on her way there
After some we got too drunk event at some too late for us to make up time
She was passed out in my bed, maudlin and like we all have been
Loving hopelessly through the soured breath and
Spoiled, “sure we can be friends” arrangements
When finally I read your message
So I sent you a hey you haiku
skin singed by the bath
hot water boils my bad mood
clear your line, I’ll call.
eleanor j jackson 