Beneath the moon I saw
The shadow of your thumb
Raised to the starlit sky
I held mine up next to the place
Where I thought yours might be
I reveled in the idea of us
Sharing this night together
Even with an ocean between us
Because the day was rushed
We moved from place to place
Like people walking down the streets of New York City
Always in a hurry
Like they’ve forgotten to turn the stove off or to feed the dog
Our last days together felt a little like walking in New York City
Pushing through the crowds toward an unknown destination
What was it that we forgot?
In my pocket I keep
The napkin from the hotel bar
The one we passed back and forth
Scribbling little love letters
On its crumbling skin
You slipped it into my jeans
As your alcohol-stained lips
Trailed up and down the curve of my neck
Some days disappear like
Wax on a candle
Melting slowly into nonexistence
Birthdays will come and go
Before all my wishes of you are gone
Earlier today
I disappeared like a tree falling in the forest
Quickly and alone
At the party you discovered
Your affinity for slow dancing to eighties rock music
No kicks or flails
Just our bodies pressed together
Your five o’clock shadow scratching at my face
My fingerprints stamping themselves into your back
Like we could be any closer
Sometimes I can still feel your breath on my hair
I want to be more like the color red
Bold,
Striking,
Desirable
I want to leave you with a bitter taste
At the fire that leaves my mouth
But when you left
I think you took my voice with you
* * *
After a two month long hiatus, I’m so happy to be able to bring you a never-before-seen, original poem. If you enjoyed “Somewhere in the Middle,” make sure to check out more of my work in my debut poetry collection, SPACES, available only on Amazon.
samanthasabio 
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