when we hugged
and said our goodbyes
and you said
I love you
I tried but
could not speak
and I realized
my heart had jumped up
in a panic and attempted
to escape before bursting
but got lodged in my throat
and I knew if I spoke
all the words I would make
would sound like tears
so I just smiled
and quickly walked away
so that the last thing
I would give you
would not be my grief.
I love you, too.
Ken Owen Van Niddy Press Sacramento, January 2017
