Ideally

you used to water me

'til you didn’t.

left me dry where I once glistened.

eyes on me,

then blinked twice—

and I was missin’.

thought you saw me—

all the magic,

the mission—

then you slipped,

and your vision

went distant.

fadin’ in and out,

hot then cold,

what we are,

what we were,

what we could be,

what we’ll never hold.

ideally?

you’d stand ten toes with me.

ideally?

we’d both be free—no pride, no lies, no chains,

just destiny.

buildin’ love with holy hands,

not bleedin' hearts.

timing divine,

not torn apart.

I saw Black babies with your eyes,

your laugh,

your name.

I saw legacies, not just adolescent games.

but maybe the dream was mine alone.

maybe you’re still lost, and I’ve outgrown.

so I keep bloomin’—petals sharp, roots deep.

I water me now.

and nigga, I don't weep