Ephemera

means only meant to last a short amount of time

like the field of sunflowers we once danced through

in dresses like our hopes;

rays of sun touched our skin in freckles in

kisses and honeyed milk for sick throats

that choked but could always say

I love you;

Ephemera

means that our families are temporary

like the fleeting love given out in stifled family dinners

in annual holidays because we knew

if anything could last it was our flame,

our souls, and our hearts;

Ephemera

means that these virulent thoughts aren’t our forever

when the countdown of days until someday for someone

who doesn’t share your blood is visible

because the irony is written on your wrists

your inner thighs, like scars could stay

longer than our most dulcet memories;

Ephemera

that day we jumped into the frozen river for the

adventure, the story, but it wasn’t the last time

I thought we were going to die;

Ephemera

we loved hard but we ignored louder

like when you disappeared for three days

four days five days six months

Ephemera

like you, it’s only meant to last a short amount of time

Ephemera

like how we used to be.