to the one who never touched me

you never held me

not really

but i carry you

in the static between my legs

in the ache behind my ribs

in the dream sweat i wake to

mouth open

saying your name without sound

you never kissed me

not really

but your breath still fogs my mirror

when i whisper

the things i never had the courage to write

when i trace

the outline of what could have been

onto the backs of strangers

who ask me to stay the night

what were we

nothing

but fuck

didn't it burn

we never made love

but you were the first

i wanted to be ruined by

i folded every version of myself

into an origami offering

and placed it

on your altar of indifference

if i am a poem now

it is because of the silence

you left behind