it hurts to love someone
in general
there are a lot of specifics
II. Specifics
to the locked doors
to the sweaty palms
and the ones curled up under blankets
to the crackling speakers
to the ***** running shoes
the razor burn, the entitlement, the beige
your bonds are made of scotch tape, gauze,
and the trips to the guidance office you keep quiet
the solemn solitude which you maintain
will cast you away, more than screaming ever could.
it is hard to save a drowning person
because they thrash and fight and choke
it is harder still, when you are small and
covered in a downy coat of ideals
((for j.d.))