and then there's the thing about the plant.
(I don't remember what you called it
except that you called it Marvin)
you could just see it grow from nothing
to something
that plant meant everything
but then—what was I thinking?—
I forgot to water it the one time
and you panicked
pulled its roots
shook its leaves
and took it away.

Does it survive in that new pot?
can it thrive where I can't watch?
you'll never tell me now
though we sprouted it together.

But a plant is not a child
and love is not love
and though I water it each day that it's gone
in case you've forgotten
it's gone
in case you've forgotten
and I never saw it grow from something
to nothing—
that's the thing about the plant.