Catfish

so i guess this is how
you don't say goodbye.
dwindling texts
absence of memes
& well wishes of
the permanent kind.

i thought i had this covered.
there have been times i thought
i'd even welcome it.
but now that it's here
(& you're gone)
sadness hangs on me
like a too-familiar garment.

never dreamed things would go on so long ~
never dreamed i'd be willing to dismiss
so many lies.
now i hunger for them.
you are so good at feigning love!
do you never even want The Real Thing?
or do you prefer the game
of catch & release;
laying out
your trotline,
& baiting up
for next time . . . 

Mela

2021