by Simone White
I came home from spain
with little jars of tea in my bag
photographs and a book I'd written in
I was all you said you had
you were a king without a crown waiting
in a house outside of town
and I turned away and I left without a sound
the day I burned our love down
lying on the bed we shared
I heard you in the other room
did you see the pretty boxes I said
but there came no reply
and then I knew you knew my lie
I rushed into the room shaking
but you were gone and the book was taken
I waited for your return not breathing
and then the house began to burn
life had never seemed so absurd
you entering without a word
it's not what you're thinking I said
and then I tried to change your mind
this would be the last time
so I struck the match you gave me
and I used the kerosene you made me
and I turned away and I left without a sound
the day I burned our love down