Unbought

Touches—the way they used to bind

from your fingertips

could make me

lie

down in the

As I face limerence for another

while you chase what you lost in me.

Everything you were

If you just

Then I would

.

That’s all it took

for you to walk.

.

The spots on your back

And when the spine wouldn't

.

And my hair wasn’t like it used to be when we

.

Distort the house you didn't buy as not your home.

.

I wonder if all she ever saw was

                        Hunger.

.

Instead of

.

Distorting what you were supposed to keep

safe.

.

And if my protection was only as thick

as the clothes fitted on my back,

then I wouldn't still be

                            here.

.

And you wouldn't still be

holding on to every last breath of your

                                            control.

.

Cook all my meals so I cannot escape.

Strip me of my rage

with your sudden, putrid calm.

.

Leave me in the dark under the world

while I am still your winter

just so you can have the final word

without ever having to finish the