cat

words, words, words
searching for
words

to describe
me
to me
alone.

how can one be
both
therapist and patient
parent and child
wife and husband
when one's skin crawls
with angst and fear
from absence of touch.
___________________

the air is blu-ish gray.
my short, rapid breaths
form visible clouds that
expose
my crouched body,
perched in the middle
of the damp, rocky, enclosed cavern

my eyes are wide
wild
with the skittish paranoia of a cat

just a touch
one touch
of compassion
understanding
calming strength

not a flighty whim
or self-indulgent
offering of kindness
that recoils
from my inevitable
flinch and flight.

can you not see my fear?
my desire?

can you not
see me

peering back around the corner
to find you?