she’s known him for seven years—

they met as six year olds full of hate.

on her pillow, five mascara tears,

because she’s four years too late.

she thought three words would do the trick,

a simple “i love you”

a couple of teenagers, so lovesick

because they couldn’t face one truth.

***

seven petals on the floor—

only a few more to go

six years of wanting more and more

a five minute pity show

four more petals, fallen from the rose

three raindrops on her nose

two more left, her hope fades away

and the last picked petal shows that he doesn’t love her, anyway…