the sweater

i found your sweater today

the one you gave me because

you decided i was cold

i was not cold just tired

tired of being a cliche

tired of being a target

my almost friend

my violent dancer

your hands were fire

patiently waiting while

i pulled the jacket on

it was no suit of armor

despite what you claimed

it did not fit my vulnerable soul

one that you had loosened the

red string that held us so

fragile together

wine flowed easily that night

your glass was always full

you made sure mine was too

you knew me to never turn down a good red

i wandered out, you followed

i was wrong, you were more wrong

i said i would go

you insisted i take your sweater

keep you warm without the lights

i stumbled to my car

i peeled the sweater off

like i was shedding your skin

i fell asleep waiting for the alcohol to drain from my body

the sun rose

i was not ready to face the world

you were right though

the sweater was pretty warm

with fragility,

river