The orchid on your desk
wasn’t for me, even if
sentimental reasons

gave it meaning
for me; I left
it for you, a reminder

I think of you, I
still believe
(or did believe)

in us. Your favorite
meal. Unopened poems.
Questionless nights

when you went
with friends, and
didn’t return.

The orchid wasn’t
for me; it was you
who needed (and missed)

the reminder, when you
said, “Are you seriously happy
a flower bloomed?”

I was. But it will
go with me.      

–josephallennichols—