One

10. episodes of a cartoon you made me watch

because you knew I liked the writer

and the main character reminded you of me

9. o’clock

we find our regular seats at the bar

two cold Guinness

Cassie greets us with her toothy smile

and asks us about our day

8. sides I made on Thanksgiving

and you ate green bean casserole

with mushrooms and crispy fried onions

even though you hate all those things

7. days we spent in the mountains

I ran through the cold rain and tall grass

laughing with the earth

Colorado wildflowers kissed my knees

your face never looked more at ease

6. of us went apple picking

and claimed pumpkins; we carved chunky faces

and yours was better than mine

and you loved how well I got along with your friends

5. hours we spent on the phone one night

your soft breath slowed; your voice trailed off

I woke up in the morning, the screen still bright, stuck to my cheek

and drove to your house, still on the phone, to wake you up

4. ‘th of January

I sat on a stoop waiting for you, trying to look cool

you pulled up and your hair flopped a little to the side

the wind out the car window had messed it up

you were embarrassed; you did your hair meticulously well that day

I didn’t know and told you how much I liked how you looked

3. blankets on our bed

an off-white quilt

a gray fleece

and a knit throw for the cats

one for each of us so we don’t fight over warmth

2. many candles you bought me for Christmas

Apple cinnamon, cucumber water, mint, lavender

Whiskey and musk

you told me our tiny dark apartment was your favorite home

and you had moved over twelve times in your lifetime

1. day I walked into an old Irish pub

and saw you

leaning on a banister.

I didn’t know it then

but I was looking at my home

that I would have

for the next three years

until forever.