when old flames should have been spat on the first time

I never wanted 
to be a solid matter
rather stay a wisp of smoke
drift on in 
whisper encouragement, 
“we made it out alive”
fade away again
No trouble.

Walking with a memory
That’s what we are, after all
Two memories talking.
That’s all.

But, you,
you tried to play with chemistry
to reveal my physicality
tried to hold me in your grip, 
despite the laws of physics 
of ethics
cries of STOP

Your Wants 
caused the scale of my Needs
to topple over
and crash
Yet you looked at me like
I created the 
whole 
mess

So I neutralize
this burning in my chest
erase your name again from 
my phone and head

I will own my combustible parts
(all of me)
And I thank you for the 
lesson in chemistry

And if your girlfriend 
ever comes for me, 
I’m sending her back for you, Dave