After the storm.

It's not my burden
it's not my responsibility

I am still healing
from the weight of
childhood.
I can't always be
your anchor
your first responder.
Walking away is
an admirable choice
yet you will stay
because others have
it worse
because this is your
comfort
because remaining
stagnant is less
exhausting
than uprooting
your whole life

and you will keep
enduring the pain
of a marriage
that will never be
enough

and it may kill you
or at least kill your
joy

and I may not have
any empathy left

and we both may become
skeletons
though we obviously
deserve more than
bones and hollowed out
memories.

I've realized there is only
emptiness
after the storm.

I don't have the hope
you desperately need.
I'm barely able to find
refuge myself
so please
stop asking me
to listen
without expecting
my anger to expand.

I can't safeguard
your voice anymore.