Not for You

a heart-shaped world wrapped in ribbons and lace but she sits alone in the quiet space her hands rest empty, no cards, no sweets just the echo of laughter in distant streets red and pink paper drifts to the floor cut-out hearts taped to the classroom door she watches them trade their love in a line her name never called—not even one time her fingers trace the edge of her desk a whisper of hope still clings to her chest maybe they forgot, maybe one's late maybe love comes if you just sit and wait but the bell rings sharp, the day is done they gather their gifts, arms heavy with fun she walks home slow, the sky bruised blue the wind carries whispers—not for you she curls beneath blankets, blinking fast but tears slip down like shadows cast and though she tells herself it’s okay her heart still aches for valentines day