my desk is littered with dead
leaves and flower petals.
things i cannot throw
away because you picked them
up and said here, for you.
i know i will keep
your old grocery receipts,
dryer lint, the stickers
from the fruit you eat. i kiss
your face as it’s taped
all over my walls
and i know all of the spots
where our initials are carved.
your id card is still kept safe
in my wallet. sometimes
when someone asks
for my name, i have to stop
myself. my mouth
opens and i almost say
yours.