Protection

Mar 30, 2026

An open invitation
they didn’t mean,
I invent their hatred
observe and
curate the scene.

A chest tightening
being hopeful
anticipation

eyes dart
back and forth
come on,
don’t make me say it.

Years passing like
big accomplishments,
production,
achievement.

I’m sorry
have I met you?
You had it wrong —
I was just leaving.

Pour my heart out,
bare it all,
can’t hold back —

fill in the gaps.

What you leave hanging
I show up,
tighten the slack.

Connection is fleeting
exists
only in my dreaming,

put your words
on my lips
conjure up some sort
of deeper meaning.

Find my footing
fit my shoes within
the outline of your tracks.

My guide,
the path always
in your hands.

You don’t see
where I cut you,
only where blood lands —

let it sting
let it burn
give me the benefit of the doubt.

I trap myself
but you’re the one
who must let me out.

Aim to please,
implode
then dissipate —

I just want release.

The truth
in reaction
is lost
on making you —

like me
understand me
see me
don’t —
forget me.

I’ll hold tight
onto hope
that each reaction
will shine through —

like something whole
something real
hiding in all this fear.

You offer
your protection
in what’s best for me
what looks nice
a perfectly
streamlined life —
your fantasy.

I wonder when
the fate of you
will rest with me —
bring us back
to the very beginning.

When our fate
had no strings,
our dreams loaded
with electricity.

When our fate —
it didn’t mean anything.