Poem on Van Gogh's Birthday

I didn't mind
when she said
she wasn't going
to sleep with me
or anyone until
she was married

I didn't mind
when her grandma
called me a sissy
at dinner when
I said the plane
ride made me nervous

I didn't mind
her redheaded cousin's
hand on my leg
as she tried to
convince me to
leave her behind

I didn't even mind
her fathers constant
preaching at me
about the need
to put God at
the center of my life

but when we were
at the Metropolitan museum
and she  was  trying
to rush me through
the Van Gogh exhibit
finally stopping in front
of one of my favorite
paintings to ask me
what is so fucking good about this

I knew our relationship
was over.

-- Matt Borczon