The Prickly Pair

I grew out of all of this nonsense,

of all the reasons why I should have reasoned with myself---

but didn't

Seven years is a long time to put yourself in the dark,

in an unwelcoming corner,

in a compromising position---

with a person(s) who had no intention of compromising

Maybe it is just that it gets darker later here,

and the Sun holds me up by my forearms,

and my shoulders---

when I grow weak to your chloroformed ways

You were like the needle I always dreaded as a child,

bigger in my mind that in actuality,

malignant in your intentions, but always without malice,

and acutely aware how to get under and reside just so---

under my skin

It was just a pin---

they would say to calm my nerves,

like you when you went on with euphemisms you didn't know were euphemisms---

but last night, I started back with my smirk,

and I was recognizable again,

and oh so very, very---

grown up