for reg

you did not know i would
dedicate the caw of woods,
the silent morning
that colors people.

you did not know i would deal with
the way pain hurt you, hated you.
could not know how i could
live. but i lived and i lived— lived.

i went home and i wanted you
here, wanted you
in rouge, to not have to keep you
only a memory

on my writing desk.
i watch you try
and leave, like someone
whose point’s been understood.

sometimes the body fails.
again and again,
again.