I Listen

I listen because 
that's what friends

do; I want to do 
so much more

like hold you, 
stroke your face

say "it's going 
to be alright" 
even

if I don't 
believe it

I listen 
because you 
ask me

to listen 
for more than
the words you use.
I can hear 
your heart

cracking, 
hear your soul

whimpering 
under the weight

of feeling 
insane, thinking

you're unable 
to fix it

and you're not because it's not yours to fix

loyal to the end 
and pushing 
the "end"

as far as you can
because that's 
who you are 
and I'm listening

because that's 
all you want 
from me, can 
stand from me.... 
plus,

I'm a poor 
substitute
 for who you

really want, 
who's not available

and this isn't about me anyway

just that I'm here

and want to be 

for you, available

to hold the rant

the want tos

the wish I hads

the what did I do wrongs

the is it mes

the I feel crazys

the W... T... Fs

and the prickly

don't hold me 
I need you 
to hold me
don't you dare 
you'll make

it worse 
because

I don't want 
your love 
to heal

any place 
of this pain

right now, 
it's mine

to hold... 
don't you

dare

love 

me 

like

this

© Valerie Bridgeman

February 22, 2013