TRAGIC Poem: The End You Chose., by Alyssa Kupchunas

I’ll remember you when “Somebody Else” cycles on the playlist’s shuffle,
when I prepare that asparagus and blue cheese dish with no trouble

I’ll remember you when there are lollipop lamb chops on the menu,
when someone talks about the latest UFC Fight Night venue

I’ll remember you when friends recall their wildest tequila nights,
when an acoustic version hits just right

I’ll remember you when I spot a kayak strapped to a pickup truck on the highway,
when I follow up with the phrase “They’re ready for a great day”

I’ll remember you when my friends adopt an English springer spaniel,
when I set sail out on the Halifax channel

When I do [remember] I think about how life is unjust,
How in the end we all rust

I’ll remember how you were gone too soon,
but this is what you chose to do.

I should end this poem here too,
but I’m so damn mad at you.

I don’t want to remember,
I don’t want this pain.

We were exes – long since decayed,
fated to never speak again anyway.

I don’t feel right to miss
mourn
moralize
muse

that much is true

but when I do,
I’ll remember you.