i know you’re worried about me.

there.

there in the dark where i worry.

in the dark where shadows become demons and the wall is composed of steel.

grand plans of life get washed away and i keen for them.

i watch, weakened, as things unravel and the strings are left with no end.

i roll over, to where you are.

my head against your shoulder, and i exhale.

i leave the demons to do their dance,

forget about the yet-again-ringing-telephone.

concern myself less with flowers that died.

and more with how i can get closer to you, without jumping directly into your skin.

i’ll say something inane and you’ll poke at my ego with a smile.

…i far prefer this cath to first-date cath…

i’ll laugh at something you say that’s bigger than i ever could be.

you’ll squeeze me but, not until i break.

i know you’re worried about me.

but, it’s like i said.

it’s this simple.

as simple as you’ve shown me it is.

as long as i have that shoulder to curl into, i’ll be okay.

“locking eyes, holding hands, twin high maintenance machines” – this year – the mountain goats.