I was not hungry, yes,
the scraps had kept me alive.
Unlovable, an orphan
I had accepted what I was served.

My body received yours
gratefully, yes.
Because it seemed inevitable
that I would lay under you,
so I did not fight it.

What use was there
in fighting it
it was too loud,
and too big.
How could I have lived those years
with a voice?

When you are alone in the world
you make do.
I had wanted
your face
millimeters from mine,
but I reconsidered, yes
an arm’s length was enough.