Well-mannered, boy

Put pen to paper
to doodle away the memories
of you drawing near
on nights
like these

for a second we had
a moment
and for that one moment
we knew why
but reality needs
no virtue
when we are headed
home

refrain
from beating blistered hands
restraint
show some if you can
remain
always at a distance
again

because
for a while we were
on fire
and in that fire
we knew why
but my vanity
is self-fulfilling
not in the least prophetic
oh but we knew why

i carried your books to school that
day.