The Dalema

and still
with every text I get
and
every unknown number
I still
feel a glimpse of hope
and
then begin to wonder

if we
could have made it work
or
should have even tried
if I
meant a thing to you
or
ever cross your mind

but I
can’t compete with her
and
I don’t care to try
yet you
put me in your bed
and
let me in your life

just to
say you weren’t ready
and
you should have known better
yet I
wouldn’t take it back
and
hope you wouldn’t either

and still
every unknown number
and
every text I hear
I still
feel a glimpse of hope
and
then hope disappears.

• The Dalema, 10.27.16