You arrived. I was soaking wet, wrapped in my white towel; straight out the shower.
I let you in. Greeted with a phone call, nothing more.
You were arguing, brash words and scornful sneers filled my home.
Was it my fault?
‘Hi.’ Nothing more, nothing less.
I gave you a kiss, hoping it would be the remedy for your sorrows.

You told me what went wrong, I tried to understand.
My words, like arms engulfing you under my shelter, trying to keep you safe.
I want to protect you, never hurt you.
I listened and listened, I understood.

You didn’t want to let me in,
This fortress, you have built so high,
Not daring to let anyone inside.
I tried to penetrate, you built it higher.

You left. I was still wet, wrapped in my white towel; not long out of the shower.
I let you out, faced with the nape of your neck, nothing more.
We were arguing, no words or sneers filled my home any longer.
It wasn’t my fault.
‘Goodbye, I love you.’ Nothing more, nothing less.
I shut the door, I wasn’t the remedy for your sorrows.

A.C.