17 - thirty six questions

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it was a news article i read
in the new york times.
it was about falling in love,
and of course,
i thought of you.
i wish i didn't -
it wasn't pretty watching a girl
sniffle on a subway
while scrolling through her phone.

set one.

frivolous things:
dinner guests,
why you want to be famous.
i know why.
so you can get all the love
and attention
from everyone in the world.
perfect days.
when did you sing to yourself?
i never sang for you.

set two.

deeper things:
what is your greatest accomplishment?
treasured memories.
terrible memories.
my answer to both would be of you.
questions of family.
you wouldn't have to answer.
i know they hated me
right from the start.

set three.

deepest things:
what do you like about me?
the fact i gave you everything
and didn't ask for repayment.
i bet that would be your answer.
when did you last cry?
not when you told me
you no longer loved me.
your personal problems.
most treasured possession.
regrets.

i know.
those thirty six questions?
they couldn't have saved us.
i know they couldn't have.
because in the end,
it asks us to stare at each other for
four.
minutes.

all i saw,
when i looked in your eyes,
was lies,
jealousy,
anger,
greed.

so, no thank you.

the subway stopped,
and i got off.

and i left myself with one last question:
why you?

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