yes, I know I am dying

by Nolcha Fox

but don’t tell me I must leave,

I must let go. You frighten me,

the one I treasure, the one

who holds my hand.

Why are you so anxious

to empty out this bed?

Let me tread water in your tears

reflecting light in the diner

where you dropped

a cherry pie on my white shirt.

Do you remember?

Let me drop into delirium

of crunching leaves

beneath our boots.

Do you remember?

Soon enough the dawn

will wrap you in a rosy

robe of sorrow. Your first day

alone without me. Do you know

I hear you whisper in my ear:

I’ll always love you. Time to go.

Nolcha’s poems have been published in Lothlorien Poetry Journal, Alien Buddha Zine, Medusa’s Kitchen, and others. Her three chapbooks are available on Amazon. Nominee for 2023 Best of The Net. Editor for Kiss My Poetry and for Open Arts Forum. Accidental interviewer/reviewer.