goodbyes

when the people i love
have to go
i recoil
like a snake
not wishing to be
touched

i always feel guilty for
the reflexes that
bring out my
slow-burn
poison

it's as if
my body &  heart
have forgotten
that hurting you
as you walk out the door
won't stem the pain
that floods my
toy-box heart
when you close it
behind you

10/6/17