what came before

we romanticize

the dead,

the loves that came before.

childhoods,

parents,

friends, all stuffed clumsily

into some bag

we carry and

defend.

it's easier to gold plate

what came before,

it makes our

life richer

in some way.

we put that far away look

into our eyes and say

i wish you

had known her,

known the love we had,

or seen the look

in our eyes,

each wanting more.