I received your message at 5:23 a.m.
The autumn blush of plum trees couldn’t lift my shaken spirit
An overgrown apology to tie your loose ends together
I went on a walk to find black coffee and salted butter
Old milk sat souring in the basement
A typical pattern with you
Getting left on Christmas Eve 

I read your message at 1:19 p.m.
The sun had broken the steady stream of silvery rain
Phrases marketed as a consolation prize
I drove past the duck-lined promenade
My red knit scarf restricting a response
A typical pattern with you
Making me sink into that grief 

I responded to your message at 8:09 p.m.
Moonlight reflected in a lukewarm aperol spritz
Thumbs up colored by a lackluster blue
I delighted in a sudden shock of nonchalance
One leather cup and a pair of dice still on the table
A typical pattern with you
Late nights ending in my morning deceive

I deleted your message today
Wisps of cloud stretch out and fade across our sky
Adoration melts into starlight
I turn my head around for a light laugh that isn’t yours
Rusted doors pried open by unfamiliar hands
A typical pattern of mine
Choosing to leave