By Michael “Artemis” Harris
Is it really that weird, that I still think about you a lot?
It is, isn’t it?
I know that I shouldn’t, but I can’t help myself.
It’s like you changed me.
I realize our time together was brief.
We met purely by accident,
but I felt like we shared something special
in the short time we had together.
When I saw you, at first, I just passed you over.
Foolishly I thought you were plain and unappealing.
But then my eyes kept passing over you,
and I knew that you were the one.
I just had to have you.
Should I have gone for you?
No, of course not.
I always make unhealthy choices…
My heart is clogged with the weight of all my past mistakes…
I know I tried to change you,
and people say you shouldn’t do that.
I thought I knew what was best for you.
Maybe I did. Or maybe I didn’t.
I know now, our relationship was one sided.
But you nourished me in a way I needed.
At a time I needed it the most.
I hope one day to meet another like you,
but I doubt I ever will.
You were special to me and helped me
through a difficult time in my life.
For that, I will always be grateful.
In the end, you were perfect just how you were.
And I loved every bite of you.
I guess what I’m saying is . . .
I’ll never forget you,
Ham and cheese sandwich,
That I bought from a gas station
That one day…
I had a 3-hour night class for grad school
and I forgot my lunch
and skipped breakfast.
Michael “Artemis” Harris is a graduate student in the M.A. English program.