The Care and Keeping of Succulents

“forget him”

remembering: baring

memories seep back, slowly, intrusively

without warning

like the time you told me you were so angry you could kill someone

staccato

or when you told me i was too hard to love

sighing

there was just nothing you could do

like the time you told me to get the fuck out or

you’d hit me in my fucking face

locked me outside like a disobedient dog

your friends looked away: silent

later: “why didn’t you tell anyone he hit you? you should have said something”

like the time i yelled for help and no one came

when you broke down the door:

(just to tell me you hated me)

like the time you revoked my birthday present: succulents

a metaphor?

told me i couldn’t have them back because you liked them too much

watched me cry and laughed

i can’t say you never warned me:

we see what we want to see

i saw you last week. locked eyes before you ran off. you looked ashamed and afraid. alone.

and i wonder what it feels like

to be you.