as if it were some sick, disgusting
fad, people are attempting to remember
you in ways you can't imagine. middle
names, papers, cards. return to sender.

these people act as if you were their
own. as if they were apart of you. like you
were some sort of relative.

hate to break their bubble but you were
just a man in their life. you may have
been a father figure, but you weren't
for them. you were for me. for my sister
and me.

they act as if you were theirs. as if i'm
someone discarded in a game of hearts.

well discard me. hearts do not entertain
me any longer. you were mine. you were
my hero and i no longer have a way to
remember you with such honour. they
have taken that from me. they have
left me barren, with no momentous
occassion left.

picked you clean. picked me off clothespins.
shoved you in a box. shoved me in the garbage.