A Love Poem

Fear has made a home in me many times.

The night at the strange cabin in the snow with the tall boy who didn’t bother waking me up to rape me

fear settled in my chest just above my breast plate.

She tears and rages and beats against my lungs.

The evening I got the call that my father didn’t want to live anymore, that we’d caught him just in time,

fear carved herself into the back of my skull

She bears down and refuses to leave.

The morning I awoke to the death of a dear friend, when I heard he’d kicked out the chair and let go,

fear slid up into my throat and wrapped herself around my windpipe.

She wants to scream but she never does.

I know this is a very strange way to tell you but I promise this is a love poem.

Because you make fear pack up her home.

She vacuums the carpet, cleans the sink, and turns off the lights.

She whispers “be careful” and locks the door on her way out.

I promise this is a love poem.