you once told me that we all want to be
beautiful. you told me it’s a natural
impulse, biological, organic,
written deeply in the genes, those micro-
cosms whence we spring. you told me you were
certain that on deeper levels we all
are equal and lovely and basically
good; you told me evil was invented
by lazy old men as a way to rule
over younger, stronger folks. you told me
you loved me, that it was forever, that
nothing could ever make you cease to love
me. you told me never again would you
trust me, you told me . . . and now you are gone.

dmpitchford