Jealousy Isn't a Good Color

I caught you without trying,

and maybe that is what

took my breath away—

more than the cheating,

more than the other girl’s

arm slung around your waist,

her hand tucked away

inside your back pocket—

just the way he likes—

and I would have left you

all alone, to your business

(and yourselves),

but I’m not that kind of girl.

I walked right up to you—

yes, him, not her—

and slammed my Coke

into your chest—to ruin

the spirit jersey you loved—

and you gaped at me

like you couldn’t believe

you had been found out.

I don’t know what you saw,

but by Monday morning

words worse than witch

followed me around,

and you even joked

that my eyes had gone

red for just a moment

while you left out the truth

to all your buddies on the team.

you can say I’m jealous

all you want, all day, anytime,

but most of all I envy her

for knowing the you

I thought I did—

but really I’m mourning

the past me who should

have known better

but believed in you

far too much.