2012/break

Sometimes the smallest
thing can break your
heart. The voice that
drops when you call.
The gift casually
set aside unopened.
The graduation you went
to alone comes back then.
The hot pink shoes your boyfriend
ridiculed, sticking out
from the stifling black
robe. Teaching you
the grown-up abuse
that would become so
familiar. Building upon
childhood neglect, like
one degree following
another.

8/18/12