Treeduo Poem

I am vulnerable. I messed up.

I've been reckless.

I've hurt people.

I have to be safe.

You have to be safe.

You told me you preferred reckless.

You cajoled me to take risks.

You held my hand, stayed by my side,

As I came back to myself

After guilt

After shame

You gave me pride.

But you were listening.

You trapped yourself.

You built yourself a shelter, a prison.

This prison life... it isn't one.

I can see now.

Life doesn't happen where it's safe.

Death is part of life.

Dying isn't opposite life.

Safety is. Naivety, ignorance

Having no experiences-

that's the opposite of living.

I want you to see.

I try to convince you.

I yell, scream, stamp my feet.

I coax, cajole.

You don't bend an inch.

I've lost you.

In despair, I

Leave

You

There

In that shelter, prison

I gather things that remind me of you-

Of who you once were-

And cry.

But you were listening.