Fruit Fly 

How the fruit fly followed me. 

How it flew around my pen. 

How I wrote cursive in your style

making the same odd flourishes

over and over and over again.


How I drew illustrations in the margins.

How I knew what I wanted you to see.

How I wanted you to encircle me. 

How the fly seemed to guide my pen. 

How the fly tickled my fingers

encircling my pen.


How the fly would enlighten me if it could. 

How you could save us if you would.  


How the fly had a brief life

as fruit flies do. 

How it fell silent 

as I signed my letter to you.


How the wind tore the letter 

from my hands 

as I walked to mail it. 


How my letter flew.

How I knew you would leave me 

like the fly that flew.