The raised hand
Your failed attempt to peel away
Your own skin
It was too tough
Calloused
Trapped in
You wouldn’t
You couldn’t let me in
The closest thing
To an open door
Left me jaw-dropped
My words scattered
On the floor
In a panic
An ill-informed attempt
At balance
I juggled my duties
My fears
My phone line therapies
In another room
So that you couldn’t see me
Weak
When all I should’ve been
Was in the room
Next to you
