We leaned back beneath a sugar maple tree
Its leaves bursting with delicate orange and red flames
You painted your dreams on the hills
You really love apple trees and bees
But you must really hate
Me, the one who gave you everything
Your dreams did not include me
Contained everyone but me
A cool river of air mussed your hair
And my heart flitted like a finch
But the grainy seat kept me grounded
Reminded me of the poison that had flowed from your mouth
Told my wishes they would never have pennies
Out of respect for myself
To you I can never again give my heart
Yet to hate you is a book I cannot read
And so I am trapped within moldy honey
Yet under that tree, hope remembered to breathe
I remembered to breathe
Recalled the night you quietly ran away
Relived the heavy blame for your unhappiness
Remembered that I was blameless
Hated you for making me love you
Hated the uncontrollable zing that whipped through me
Loved the slow curve of your lips
Loved you forever bouncing stroll
Loved your ridiculous words
Loved everything
Even your dreams without me
Under that sugar maple tree