The first time we kissed

the taste of strawberries heavy on my tongue

hands desperate to hold all of you

body aching but curling around you

we breathed the same air, 

our chests rising and falling as one

my fingers tangled in those curls of yours

your hands holding on to me like I was the solution to all of your problems

 

you were never this honest with me again

 

every kiss after that

was held back

my hands cradled a person who wasn't there

our breathing out of sync

on my finger a ring that you gave me

but you didn't look at me the way you first did

 

you didn't tell me what was wrong

 

a last kiss

I don't remember it, 

I hadn't realized it would be the last

hands that are always reaching for you

bitter cold air in my lungs

my fingers adorn no rings 

you left in the middle of the night

 

and I let you go