Here I lie where we once lay,
My thoughts my own,
and me
alone.

You once curled around my back
almost twice curled
I was so small in your arms
Your head against the curve of my neck

And me safe as safe,
soft, with you,
the protective shell.

I sit here alone.
My body clenched, coiled, with all this pain
All of you around me
And none of you truly there.

I press my hands against my arms,
trying to make my own shell,
but it just reminds me
of how yours used to feel.