hand me downs

there is a monster inside me,

let’s call it longing.

it wears a heavy jacket

that’s quite appalling.

it scratches my windows, and

bangs on my door.

it cries out in anger, while

it paces the floors.

i can feel it, behind my

eyes and my tongue,

choking me until there’s

loose teeth and blood.

there is a child inside me,

let’s call her longing.

she wears her mothers jacket

and searches for belonging.