the maple syrup break up

when she brought me back

a bottle of freshly tree tapped

maple syrup

from canada

i thought it was the beginning

of a long

and beautiful relationship.

i barely poured it on a

few pancakes though,

when she told me she was

leaving.

i'm going back home she said.

i met a guy from my old high school,

Maple Leaf High,

in Montreal, who's a mountie now,

and he wants to get married.

i was in the middle of

pouring out the syrup when

she gave me the news.

it poured so slowly, as i tilted

my hand, shaking the amber

liquid out. i looked at her.

really? i said.

oui, she said. oui.

enjoy your maple syrup. bye.

i kept pouring.