The Transaction

Jillian Hand

I’d like to return everything I’ve ever said;

Here are the receipts:

I’ve been holding on to them

The way you’ve been clinging to these borrowed words.

I want a refund

For “I’m Sorry”—

It no longer fits.

And tell me,

How much is “I love you”

Going for these days?

Can I sell

“I miss you”

On the black market?

What store will buy these worn-out,

Overused, good-for-nothing

Clichés?

I have no use for them

any longer.