Little Broken Bird

I worry too much.
Too much for you to even know.


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I walk clumsily next to you,
Tripping over my own feet
and letting gravity sway me back and forth.
My fingers slide gently through my hair as I smile stupidly at you.
You just look down.
I try the same and watch the concrete move slowly past me,
Pebbles race each other and I wonder why they are in such a hurry.
I look up again and you are still in the same position.
I start to worry.
worryworryworry, I think.
can'taskhim, I think.
"What's wrong?"
Damn.
You finally look up,
and then adjust your eyes back down again to look at me.
I expect you to grin like you always do,
Say, "Nothing babe",
and keep walking.
I am wrong a lot.
Your face seems to contort into a scowl.
"Its just.. not important."
I feel my heart shatter, and I look at the pebbles again.
Help me..., I whisper silently to them;
but they continue playing their reversed game of tag.
"Tell me please", I say aloud; maybe to softly because you don't answer.
I tug on your arm: "Please..."
You begin telling me that I'm a bird in a cage,
and I look at the cloudy sky.
I imagine I am a bird; falling from a cloud to earth too slowly.
I imagine you picking me up to stroke my head.
"Its going to be okay" I hear you say to the little broken bird.
(or maybe you say it to me)
"Shhhh," you say, "shhh baby bird."
I wonder if this is true. I wonder if it will all be alright.
I look hopeful as I watch your hands move over the little creatures neck.
You snap it quietly.