You wear the skull on a chain
I sent to you
Long distance
After long giving up hope on us
But still knowing
What should be.
You sent me a picture
Where you wear it
And I smiled seeing it.
You remarked to me
That you get such compliments on it
When you wear it
And people ask where you got it
Again and again
But you never told me
What answer
You give them
When they ask,
The impassive face
Hanging silver from the chain,
Vaguely grinning,
Telling no tales
About us
Or him
Or on Kentucky Avenue
When I first flirted with you
When you were just a girl
And you fell in love with me
In silence,
Even then.
Originally published in Nixes Mate Review.
John Tustin's poetry has appeared in many literary journals since 2009. fritzware.com/johntustinpoetry contains links to his published poetry online.