the etchings

so many pet names
they have
for one another.
silly and cute, fun
and loving.
their initials carved
on the trunks
of all the trees
they passed when
meeting secretly
along the wooded paths,
the hearts on napkins,
or against the wet
concrete wherever
found.
in the sand at the shore,
in the dirt,
upon a layered cake
thick with icing.
a heart, an arrow.
such love the world has
never known.
an anniversary for everything.
with love always.
how sweet, so sweet
it almost makes your
teeth ache with such
displays of adolescent
confectionary
affection.