Uprooted By Empathy

Staccato inhale Eyes stinging like alcohol on a latent cut Your kindness hurts It bends back my arms, My shoulders straining to remain attached. Feeling trapped by my desire to be loved And dreading its sequelae. I fear your caring. I am terrified to accept it. Why, why, why, why do I want to retreat? To be plucked out by a helicopter, Immediately lifting, a forward disappearance Whipping the air with its blades, drowning out your words. I do not want to hear you. I do not want to see your eyes; Your brows meeting in the center. I was unable to absorb the blow to my abdomen, Innocently extending and retracting, Not prepared for this moment. Years of defense training, wasted.