Poetry

So Thick Your Fear

Helene M. Chu, United States
First published April 2, 2001

Run me ragged and drag

me through the gate

and lock me up, order

me to stay

the way I am

even while this tightness

makes my chest expand

I try to tell you

that I need to be trusted

but you can’t hear me so thick

is your fear

that it cuts off our love.

With all my soul

I will myself

to understand

but my anger rises

like a tide that will sweep

me away from you. I tried

to tell you that I needed freedom

and you locked me up and lost

the key to our love

in your lack of faith,

and I change

the way that you said I would,

but if you had stayed close to my heart

we could have grown together

instead I grow alone,

I grow apart,

until I am gone.