i should have written you a poem

you were right:
i should have written you a poem
scratched something out
in that notebook full of traffic
and bad dirt

put out a few lines
sneak in a rhyme
declare my love,
tell you thanks
and that it's all right

tell you happy birthday
tell you

(as you walk away)

my
oh
my

i should have written you a poem
called up a siren
put it in stone
talk of flowers and fame
talk of staggering and grace
and the fall of white lace

talk of shine
of yours and what's mine
talk of paris,
spokane
and of lives wrapped up in vine

you were right:
i should have written you a poem

next time i will