My Love, Always

You are a lover
of whom I have grown tired.

Once you were so gentle and kind,
you held me softly and smiled.

Once you let me feel the sun
and fly free in joyful abandon.

Now I feel your pressure on my body,
too heavy, too familiar,
pushing me into gloom.

Now you hold me too tightly
as though I might leave you.

But my love, where would I go?

You have barred my escapes.
You are with me always.

When I try to push you away,
when I lock the door on you,

you only bang louder
so I can hear you hateful voice
louder than ever.

My love, where can I go?

Only in sleep can I escape you.
But you bring me back
with painful wails

when the day has not yet broken,
but my will has.

There is only one
who could save me from you.

With him I could leave
your bruising hands, your voice in my ear.

His kisses are spring breezes.
He holds his lover gently and rocks them,
sings them soothing lullabies.

But he is a more terrible lover than you.
From him there is never escape.

So, no matter how hot my tears burn
as we lay together,

your arms wrapped too tightly
around my cracking bones.

I fear his love more.

I hear the echoes of his melodies
whispering in the corners of my ears.

I hear him calling me from you,
so sweetly.

But I run.

No matter how you cage me,
Time,
I will endure you. Because

I will not become another
of Death’s helpless lovers.