No, I said.
Yes, you said.
I hate you, I said.
I like you, you said.
Leave me alone, I said.
I can't, you said.
I don't like you, I said.
But I still won't leave you alone,
you said.

Please, I said.
I won't let you go,
you said.
I don't want to see you again,
I said.
I don't care, you said.
Please, I said.
No, you said.

Why can't you just leave,
I said.
Because, stupid, I love you,
you said.

Elephantine swirls
Careful, unraveling threads
Bookcase, bookcase
Zig-zag treads
Vaulted, deep, brown and steep
Held by wicker
And woods and peach
Stones uneven, pathway in
Phrases painted with
Juniper and gin

I don't need you on my side
I can fight this world alone
take away all of my pride
I will still be flesh and bone

I don't need a loaded gun
I will use the song of birds
I will use rays of the sun
I will use my heartfelt words

I don't need you on my side
I can fight this world alone
when the blood and tears have dried
I will still be flesh and bone