A safe

Photo credit: Amin mlk from Pexels

“Lock it up and keep it safe”

He said

I nodded obediently 

“Yes, okay”

For it was a promise easily made 

to someone going far away

He tucked the wrinkled paper in my palm

The ink was splotchy and the paper brown

His soft fingers brushed away my tears again and again

As if those gentle motions could wipe away the memories

Now the memories are smudged by the wear and tear of time 

Like my cheeks had been by tears

And memories fade like cheap polaroids

What had he wanted?

For my heart to be safe?

It has been done

It is smothered under twelve layers of fear

How could I ever love another:

When I will never forget that sweet chiding voice

that constellation of freckles 

…

And that horrible feeling 

Watching his shadow drift out of sight