Pride

Being wronged

chest tight, eyes squint
jaws clench
smile reverses
for days...
weeks...
months...

Drop it, let it go, walk away
face shadows, tears well
a story with no ending
blank pages follow a happy moment
wrong, unfair

heart flutters loudly
ribs swell
disrespected
ignored

unanswered questions
unquestioned answers
a less than hopeful ellipsis
only pride can end

Bruises

Arms wrapped around me
warmth, constricting and wonderful
Smile beams at me
comfort, don't ask why
Happiness is found, no more, no less
I like it, he likes it
Not enough.
He doesn't know the depths of my empathy

prisoner of his thoughts

prisoner of my past.

Freedom begins with a kiss
don't ask why, don't prod
never prod.

The appreciation of being lost
the fear of not being found
the beauty of vulnerability