I remember the day you saved the cricket in class

Before I really knew you

Everyone else wanted to kill it

You picked the cricket up like a harp picks up an echo, without meaning, and yet full of it

And you let it loose

Propped open the door and let it loose

I love you that way

When you pick me up

Less when you let me loose

Taking pity on the crickets in the hallway

You treat them the way you treat me

Just small chirping things to let free

But we both wanted to stay warm there, in your palms

The cricket wanted solace

So did I

So did I

But I’ll live