Lip Balm Poem by Mark Heathcote

We cannot be seen kissing anymore—
Tightly, time-has-folded numbly on our lips.
We have only affirmations, fragments of regret
To bite on from here on …forget.

Parting - you stroke the air between
-Us, that now is only just invisible.

I almost felt its brush a slight turquoise tingle
A goodbye kiss that never was...
My lips feel chapped, I guess...
I needed some lip balm - Vaseline.

Parting - I saw your lips tremble blue
Turquoise tingle - it was then, I left you.