By: Linda M Crate

there is no fountain of time
that can give us back
our youth
so it would be best for you if you could
straighten your shoulders,
and leave that behind
us;
i am not coming back
for my mind is already made up
my life is better
without you—
i am sorry if that hurts you,
but i tried telling you
gently
still you insist upon chasing after my heels
bothering my mother for inquiries
of me;
i never wish to speak to you again
so move on
without me
you have two legs of your own, you need
not rely on mine
as you always did—
i dropped your bones in the river
let them wash away
because there’s nothing worth remembering
whatever we had was long since dead
i cannot hold onto moments
already dead forever
you’re just a ghost
accept your
death.