To Know Avail

i taught them

so quietly, in such a tiny body.

they knew, only somewhat, a gift when they saw one.

but, like me, had no way to articulate.

the exchange was subtle rejection,

essential crushing,

proverbial killing.

teaching and learning are cycles

i am okay with,

provided we skip their danger zones.

(i’m still sore where they forgot about me,

still fragile where they only remembered my transparency.)

pt. 2

...and that cloak was a curse too.

the mirror i was

was in the way

of the way

they hated themselves.

i thought that

if i only reflected love,

they would drop walls

to see themselves

in me.

but elusive as i am,

they only shattered me

only caring to destroy me

for all the times i would

try.