I was in the water when you grabbed me from behind
your arms around my neck
it was more than fifteen years

since you or me left
was I supposed to be surprised
you kissed me

wiping chlorine from my eyes

did you leave me

or I leave you

voted third most beautiful

eleven hundred in our school
I had you number one
& how I remember you turning up

to trade me for a younger flame
barely sixteen years to my name


did you leave me
or I leave you


did I leave you or you leave me
she said “I scored two out of three
& was the third revenge for you”

her smile was cold the water blue

we clung onto the side a while

afraid of letting go
“is it you or my youth I've been missing so bad”
she turned & swam away

was the last thing I heard her say