you make me feel undone by MP Armstrong (20, Ohio)

after “ever fallen in love” by the buzzcocks

speak now or forever hold your peace, 
the pastor warns. speak now or forever 
hold your tongue. forever is a long time; 
forever is death and taxes, inheriting the 
family recipes and spending money on 
diapers instead of flights to switzerland. 
ever fallen in love with someone?, the 
buzzcocks ask. ever had to reckon with
forever? 

---

hold on for the divorce announcement in
the paper, a cynical guest mumbles, and 
hold fast to that secret you know, one of
the bridesmaids broods, and get a hold of
yourself, a mother whispers to a sobbing
toddler in the back, and the entire church
thinks, he’s got the right idea. ever fallen
in love, in love with someone? ever fallen
awake into a nightmare?

​unspoken, we all hold the horror at arms’
length, forever and ever hold our piece in 
a grimace-grin as the picturesque bride 
and groom reflect over the mirror-years, 
purposely burning the casserole, longing 
for lucerne every time they pick up the kids 
from soccer practice. ever fallen in love, in 
love with someone you shouldn’t have fallen 
in love with? ever fallen in love, in love with 
a life you know you can’t stay in love with 
forever? 


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