I keep my pills in your old coat pocket

My secrets in the lining

You said I “broke too pretty”

So I stopped trying

The wallpaper peels like my patience

The ceiling fan sings my name

You kissed me like a question

Then left before I came

⸻

You bring me tea when I’m trembling

Then ask me why I shake

You say “it’s just how life goes”

I say “I hope you break”

You hold the glass and call me heavy

But never ask what’s inside

I could scream and no one would notice

You’d still say, “She’s fine”

⸻

You are the cork in the bottle

Keeping me sealed, keeping me still

You hold me back with softness

Then ask why I’m not thrilled

You’re the silence in my poems

The twist in my will

You are the cork in the bottle

And I can’t spill

Do, do, do… do-do, do…

Do, do, do… do-do, do…

⸻

You liked me more when I whispered

But you raised your voice instead

I told the truth too often

So now I lie in bed

You call me complicated

But I was simple once

You just kept shaking the bottle

Until I came undone

⸻

You said I should smile more

I said I would

If you stopped turning me into

Your own idea of good

⸻

You are the cork in the bottle

You stopped the flood, then blamed the drought

You said I should be grateful

I said, “Let me out”

You are the pause

Between scream and song

The reason I held it in

For far too long

Do, do, do… do-do, do…

Do, do, do… mm-mm-mm…

⸻