presence in the midwest

"give me something from your pocket,"
i said, 

"just anything...i'd..

i'd like to keep it."

you emptied the pocket on your right and then 

the one on your left

i held the packet of tea you were saving for later

"to remember you by," i said.   

   

you looked at me. 

you wanted to keep it,

but you kept your mouth shut.

in our minds, you were the rock

we broke ourselves against

and i wondered what would happen
if we said goodbye to you.