Lower your voice,

please.

There is so much in the world and there is

so much in my chest and it is all

at odds.

Constantly.

And I can’t think when it’s all so bright.

I can see the truth in your limbs. I can hear it in your

breath.

There’s really no need to shout,

My love.

for the world is within me as much as it is without me. 

and it is without me. 

and I am so very small and so very soft to contain it all—– 

it blurs my edges, and when you shout I leak out.