to reciprocate the secret of an abridged life
out of the league
the arc as the film snaps at the pivot
the trembling hands
reluctant to bathe the dirt that remained
train me to trust you
i will confide all of me
but please be my confidante
don’t share, don’t whisper it all away
to amuse what’s not yours to ration
trust is gained with respect
the mutual insight to understand
build the confidence to be friends
and you’ve passed the exam
you made it all happen
simply because you stayed
briefed your scars
lined them up on the shelves
secrets of your abridged life
the sense of inability to fit and outnumbered
the arc of the title snapped in half

© jacob greb — from lovers’ tiff: a ballad