keep this record of who we've been

keep this record of who we've been,
muscle-memory, touch response,
flesh molded into shapes and then pushed down again,

dresses i don't fit into anymore,
relationships that went downhill,
bodies we shed like skin.
keep this record of who we've been.

hairstyles we've sprayed on and washed out;
dress up sessions in the bedroom, makeup smeared on pillowcases and cheeks;
emotions that don't really stick.

things we thought were permanent and things we knew were not.
the look in your eyes, the glow within.
keep this record of who we've been.

purses i've transferred my things to
and out again, to make way for the new.
keep this reminder that you weren't always you
and I wasn't always me, but
to change is not a sin.
keep this record of who we have been.