popcorn on a rollercoaster

hold that, my dear, won’t you? hold-
that thought, actually. i’ve changed my mind.
would you mind it if i climbed out?

my popcorn’s spilling everywhere, and-
it’s making me sad. it’s loud, the wind.
your hand’s on top of the paper bucket;
you’re a gentleman. i should’ve known.

lift the handlebar, won’t you? help-
undo my seatbelt. i’ll get up and leave.
stop screaming. stop it with your hair frayed back,
stacks of letters, bottles of tears and antidepressants;
the throttle comes back now.

it’s later than it should be, and the rollercoaster’s-
empty. the sky is pink.

you’re about to go back down.
there’s no coming up this time.
you’ve seen this one before, haven’t you?
it always ends badly, but then-
it never quite ends. it will.
ready?

i jump.

you jump.

you say you love me.
we hold hands in the clouds so nobody can see.
i let go.