Luv Ya

“Luv ya.”
She spat those two half-words at me
Like seeds from an orange
an involuntary reaction
a sudden sneeze

Escaping, flying out
without weight
without thought

I remember when they were full-words
Large and velvety loops
carefully written
lovingly impressed

Like lipstick kisses
On the vellum of my soul

Now - just ugly letters
Scribbled out in haste
on scrap paper

Empty

Little more than items
Jotted on
The Shopping List
- Hot pink lipstick
- Antihistamine
- Oranges (seedless)