If ever a poet falls in love with you,

her words will become flowers

blossoming upon your heart,

like bruises—purple stains on your skin.

Every sentence will spell out your name—

they will be whispers, reverberations,

echoes of you, and you alone.

If ever a poet just so happens

to fall in love with you,

do not ever break her heart—

for if you do, the heartache and heartbreak

that you cause will belong not only to her,

but to everyone who reads her poetry.