Clink Clank Clunk

Can you tell when I’m disappointed, baby?

When my words drip sticky sweet with passive aggression,

tumbling out of my mouth,

onto the sidewalk?

Can you tell when my open drawbridge

begins to clink clank clunk

closed?

When your seemingly endless stream

of nay’s and no’s

begins to wear down on my shoulders?

The same shoulders that house your weary head and heavy heart;

The same shoulders that carry the beautiful burdens of womanhood.

Why do you turn away?

Hang your head and wring your hands and sigh out loud

Beckon to me from a chasm of sorrow and struggle

Reach out to me from your deepest and darkest,

and ask me to join you there.

Aren’t you the one who told me I am light?

That I bring out the sun to warm your aching back and knotted neck

That I ease your pain and hold your hurt

Why do you snuff me out?

Exhale slow, pointed breaths;

My flame wavers in your beer-scented air

There is no light in your deepest and darkest

***

I’ve never found strength in gentleness

Only words left unsaid

Feelings left un-excavated

I hold your pain

I ease your hurt

I waver in your breath

I find no comfort in giving

I find no solace in softness

I find you in the bottom of your deepest and darkest

I house your heavy heart

I clink clank clunk

Clink

Clank

Clunk

Closed.