How do I write
An honest poem
Without laying waste
To everyone I love?

Maybe this
Is my way
Of telling them all
The truth

When dinner is
Soundtracked
By fork tines

And we all say
The same
Things over
And over.

I want to tell you
I’m tired
Of tip-toeing
Your addictions
Your nuances
Your creaky
Hearts.

And when you
Arrive
Shaky full
Of all the
Hysteria
You didn’t
Off-gas

Yesterday
Last month
Three years ago
As an discounted
Worker
As a
Mishandled
Wife
As a
Unseen
Little boy

My teeth
Are mobilizing.

I want to tell you
I can’t speak
To you
About anything
Real.
I can’t even
Say the words
You hurt me.

If that song
Is playing in your head
And you’re wondering
If this poem
Is about you,
It is.

I know I hurt you too.
When I couldn’t write
A love poem.