i don't want to love someone

because i'm supposed to

you told me, one night in mid-july.

warm air and sun fading in the sky,

i want to fall in love with someone

i've heard this story a thousand times before.

i've seen it unfold. it started with a glance, became a smile,

became a longing. when i realized it was my turn,

i was too late. no one told me how hard it would be

i can only watch from afar, invisible

a ghost in your eyes, as smoke overwhelms you,

charcoal coating your lungs. i know

it's not what you want. we know

we didn't expect for it to end like this,