(Based on Lydia Davis’ short story ‘Break It Down’)

Time is money, they say.
And love takes time.
So let’s break it down:
Love costs money.
And heartbreak leaves
You empty-handed.

The rest of your days are
Spent calculating and speculating
What you could have saved,
What you could have made,
Had you not fallen for
That girl,
That boy,
That one who left you breathless.

You round up,
You round down.
Doesn’t matter
How much your paycheck
Was eaten up
When there’s this sting
In your chest.

Counting up the change,
The bills and receipts,
Is a bitter consolation
To not knowing if
I love you too
Was as hollow as it sounded.