If I Gave Up

by Kelly-Anne Riess

I would have followed you to Edmonton

found a job waitressing    babysitting

even though I have three degrees

a temporary fix while you finished school

near mountains where you climb




I wish I'd known you

when you didn't know what you wanted

then maybe you would've followed me to the Peg

I could never live in Manitoba     you said

would feel bad if I gave up

anything for you

so you ended it


even so you couldn't stay away

visited me every summer

until she moved in


after graduation you went up north

how's that better than Winnipeg

you work 20 days on

fly down to her on days off

it could be me



Photo Credit: Moon Outside My Window, Karen Randall, Digital Image, 2009.






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