At Arm’s Length

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Narrow your gaze

Eyes down, all the way

Can you see me now?

Look past the open hands

We are the same you and me.

Shared blood and bone

Call me Eve

Made from your rib.

You won’t like that,

For in your mind you are more.

 

Noble, a beacon of morality

A destination.

You cannot change the world, you say

No, but you should have told me I could.

 

Broken man

Before you is a girl

Trapped in your regrets.

Take a lungful of air

Pretend it is pure, cough, choke

It sustains us both.

 

Now, look at me again.

Smart-mouthed, sharp edges

Just the way you hate.

Can you see me now?

At arm’s length?

Focus, for when you are gone

I will be your remains.

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