14th february · for eli

this isn’t a card.

i couldn’t find one in the shop that meant it, so i made the only one that does. read it with your tea getting cold, like you do.

the photo i keep on my lock screen

that bench, the cold chips, august.

this was taken before either of us would say it out loud. you’re mid-laugh because i’d just dropped a chip in the river. i didn’t know yet. i think a small part of me did.

why it’s you,
in little sweets.

tap a heart to turn it over

and yes. “the duck thing.”

i’m not writing it down where anyone could read it. you know. you always do that little snort when you remember, and i’d trade a fair amount to hear it right now.

and our song, obviously

“so i won’t hesitate no more, no more —”

the one from the kitchen, the one you put on at 1am, the one we will absolutely be too old to be embarrassed about. play it today. think of me.

one of these hearts is real.

there’s a thing i’d be too shy to say across a dinner table. find it.

i’m happier than i ever let on. i play it cool because i can’t quite believe my luck, and i didn’t want you to see how much.

happy valentine’s, eli.

no envelope, no queue at the card shop, no recycling it in march. just this, and the rest of the year, and me.

— j

a valentine

tap to break the seal

this isn’t a card.

why it’s you,in little sweets.

happy valentine’s, eli.

why it’s you,
in little sweets.