Indifference

please tell me

that we are okay

that we are thriving

that our hearts aren’t bruised and our eyes are sparkling and we are at least pretending not to choke on each other’s ashes as we torch each other’s feelings until our hearts burst right through our ribcage and there’s no room to breathe

can you just tell me that? can we at least pretend?

why is there an art to forgetting?

we are both hurt and I know that

our last conversation you said one thing: “I love you, but I don’t see a future with you.”

and I shrugged.