Warning: The word slut, mild reference to cheating.

In Conversation

February.

Over text:

"What makes you

happy?"

"Rain and dogs and

getting emails. Memories

of dinner with my old

grandpappy.”

"What's your email

address my dear?"

         Naive me gave it to him.

I thought I was in the clear.

April

Over email:

“I love getting emails from you.

I look forward to it each day.”

“I am addicted to you,

you are addicted to me,

some may say.”

June

Over email:

“Sometimes I wish I didn’t exist.

Is that bad?”

“Honey, I wish I could hug

you right now. You seem

quite sad.”

August

Over email:

“You can’t pretend you didn’t

cheat. It’s not right.”

“But you didn’t seem to

put up a fight.”

February 2017

Over text:

“You know I’ll love you,

no matter what.”

“Behind my back they call me a

slut.”

In conversation, everything changes.

Whether it be

whispers in the hall,

texts sent during school,

emails drafted at midnight.

Your words changed me.

For better or for worse,

I may never know.

You are my pastpresentfuture,

the beautiful flower and the stinging bee.

And, my love,

you changed me.

-annmarwalker, Anne