I am too old to fall in love.

ancient, ancient. (am I
overdramatic? am I boring you?)

I have seen so much
in seventeen endless years. call me
bitter, tell me I'm making everything
out of nothing. roll your eyes and
complain about how impossible I am.

maybe you're right, maybe I am
all those things - more - but I'm
telling you the truth. too many
hands have touched me, too many
eyes have raped me. I have been
stolen, sampled, discarded like
a bloody tissue in the bathroom trash can -
a torn bag on the side of the road.

I am tired, tired. I want to be
next to you - I wish I could desire you -
but I am, I am too old
to fall in love.