No Love

Soothing me,
you cannot do,
because I
cannot love you.

But it is
hard, ultimately,
when I get hurt
and you cannot comfort me.

I am so used
to you
coming when I call
but you can no longer do

this. I refrain
from calling,
yet still, you come,
teasing, playing,

even pleading.
I feel so bad
turning you away.
You get so mad

because you
and I
both know that
this is a wry

game we
play,
over and over,
everyday.

But you always
come back to me
asking, bothering,
pleading quietly.

You never stay
mad, long.
But I try
to stay strong.

Shove you
further away,
no love for
me today,

can't let even
a little bit
leak in . . .
though I desperately need it.