she wanted to
be his escape

someplace he
could get lost

someplace with
no direction

or destination

someplace too
dark to see

where all speech
is touch

but she offered
him too much

so he never
wanted to leave

and thus it was

that she had to
break him

I’m looking at all the things you’ve done:
The unexpected turns and awkward silence.
How will you know it’s time to run?
Don’t worry. I’ll turn on the sirens.

I want
to be the one your pen
and paper talk about