there is safety in this
careful distance kept here
between us, lines forming
a box that we don’t share

it’s not you, honey
it’s me, all me

please, don’t be fooled
by these blue eyes
and this small smile
don’t try to keep me here

hurting you
is not my intention

I like you well enough
you make me smile
but I’m not good material
no, not good enough

you deserve better
than I can give

I’ll give you a grin
full of rueful laughter
trust me, I’d break
whatever possibilities we’d have

all that I touch
I break

I won’t lie to you
I’m a little destructive
you deserve someone
with warm, healing hands

boy, stay safe
away from me

we’re better off
in our separate spaces
not reaching out, not
giving out false hope

being with me would
ruin us

so don’t even try