Call me anytime.
What else is there to say
to the friend who reveals
they plan to marry an addict
careering toward self-destruction?
Who is going in, eyes open?
I love you. I'm here for you.
I want more for you. I wish
you loved yourself more or
thought you deserved better.
I'm watching you walk into flame.
Your friend is drawn to flame
singeing herself again and again
on women who would consume
a house in minutes, whole hillsides gone.
You have become practiced
at salving burns, standing by
with cool compresses, quiet words.
Do you know what it's like
to love what will consume you?
Do you have what it takes
to love someone who does?
Prepare more clean, worn towels.
Set your face in a look of understanding.
Rock-bottom
When she crashed your car
and finally went in-patient,
you wondered whether
she would have found
her way here sooner
without you as dam
holding back what threatens
to pull you both under.
You are the addict and you are
the woman who loves her.
You are the house
and the house fire.
You understand what it is
to black out on your desires
to become them.
And you know what it is
to forgive yourself again and again
to welcome yourself home.
Comments