2023 Second Place

Over you

by Mike Mackillop-Hall

I am absolutely certain that I’m over you
but now that I no longer have you as my friend
it’s not entirely clear to me what I should do.

I always thought we’d shared enough to see things through
but now I’m better off alone, I would contend,
so absolutely certain am I that I’m over you;

I feel that most of what you wrote just isn’t true
and the implication of those painful words you penned
is not entirely clear to me. What I should do

is find another, gentler, soulmate, start anew,
not type a late-night diatribe and then hit “Send”,
as I’m absolutely certain that I’m over you.

I’ll text no more emojis of a kiss in lieu
of time I should have spent with you, but can’t pretend –
it’s not entirely clear to me what I should do.

Regrets? Sinatra sang he’d only had a few,
but mine are many more, on reaching this dead end:
it’s not entirely clear to me what I should do,
though I’m absolutely certain: I am over you