US after Love

The version of us after love fades,
MONSTERS beyond recognition.
Weren’t we the same people
rolling in love,
love birds?

Now we roll our eyes,
sharpened tongues for weapons.
Silence, louder than our laughter once was.
We walk past each other
like strangers with secrets.

I still remember
how your hand used to find mine
without searching.
Now, it twitches away
like I burn.

You still make tea
with two sugars—like I love it—
but place it on the counter,
not the bed.
No words, just steam.

How did we get here?
Not with a crash,
but with tiny cuts
we both ignored
until we bled out.

I miss you—
not the version now,
but the you
who looked at me
like I was home.