Don't Blame Me When it's Over

.

I love you like a one-time use camera

that I will throw away

once I have enough memories from it.

Only,

it's one of those cameras you don't use in a day

that sits around in your kitchen for months

and hides in the back seat of your car

and always has one more picture left to take.

.

Don't be sad when I no longer need you.

It is inevitable

because of the way we started this relationship—

half-assed, unplanned, pragmatic.

One day I will take that final picture.

.

I assumed that you were using me

like I was using you, until you started dropping hints

like splashes of spit from a camel's mouth.

I thought only women left behind their sweaters

and forgot that random thing

and need to come back and get it.

But you are getting attached, I know.

It shows now in your wistful eyes

when you look at me, searchingly,

when you cling to me. Then

I gasp for breath like an earthworm

trapped in a tunnel of dirt.

.

Don't blame me when it's over,

because I warned you to begin with.

One day I won't need your tasteless kisses

or salty neck. One day I will replace you

with myself. Or someone else.