i watch the girls who claim they cry themselves to sleep

i see you approach, speed up as you pass

you tell me i don’t understand anymore

you stiffen up

he’s replaced me because i wasn’t quick enough

i start to breathe out my condolences and my breath is snatched back

by the hard look in your eyes

that i’ve never seen before

i stand

i wait

i go back into my safe zone

i look out at you

and i stare even when you’re gone

i realize it is over