Photo by Margaret Jaszowska on Unsplash

Pour just a little into

A glass, flood it with water.

It won’t be as honest as it could

But it will be bearable to drink.

I give you a non-committal

“That looks good” as if

The sight of you doesn’t make

My heart burst. I am not as

Honest as I want

But that is all I can bear to say.

Pour just a little into

A glass, flood it with fear.

Choke on the mortifying truth and

Make it bearable to drink.

I stand next to you, hands

Incarcerated in pockets, my back

Locked into place. I am not as

Honest as I want

But this, simply standing next to you,

Is all I can bear to ask.

Pour just a little into

A glass, flood it with water.

It won’t be as honest as it could

But it will be bearable to drink.