Please

Let him live in your memories. 
Let yourself press repeat
every time it seems your life
is forming without any trace of him in it. 
Remind yourself
that at one point
he was a huge part of your life. 
Force yourself 
to replay the past on a constant loop. 
Let him live in your eyes. 
Make sure that every time
Someone who looks remotely like him
walks by that you always do a double take.
Make sure you search for him
in crowded rooms all of your old favorite places,
or even in new places that he never made his own. 
Let him live in your smile. 
Every time you find that you’re laughing
at something he didn’t say or a story
that he’s not part of, stop yourself. 
Stop yourself from enjoying this new life
you’re creating, and only smile 
when you remember him 
or someone brings up his name. 
Let him live in your heart. 
Allow him
to continue to hold all of the love 
you can muster because you did for so, 
so long. 
Allow the idea
that he might come back and
really love you be enough
to let him stay here. 
Let others visit every now 
and again but 
don’t you dare allow them
to bring boxes in. 
Anytime someone else seems to be getting close
to wanting to make a home in you, 
remind yourself 
that there is only room for one 
and you’ve made your choice.
Or you could let him go. 
In fact, 
ask him to leave. 
Pack up your memories 
and your backstories 
and put them away. 
Please, 
don’t let him take all the best parts of you. 
Take them back, 
Please, 
darling,
take them back.