eggshells.

I walked on eggshells for you. 

I walked on eggshells at the cadence of your pattern.

Your tightening of body. 

Your armoring of soul. 

Your quiet withdrawal. 

I walked on eggshells for you. 

I danced lightly around your pattern. 

Carefully tip-toeing to the beat you set. 

Avoiding any misstep, 

To avoid any mishap. 

Carefully, tip-toeing to the beat you set. 

I walked on eggshells for you. 

I’d extend. 

I’d shift. 

I’d shrink. 

I’d love. 

I’d try. 

I walked on eggshells for you. 

Your tightened body, 

My attempted softened extension. 

Your armored soul, 

My attempted physical connection. 

Your quiet withdrawal, 

My attempted silence & space. 

I walked on eggshells for you. 

My heart wanted to keep going. 

Keep carefully tip-toeing to the beat of your pattern. 

Crying tears to cleanse the tension. 

Holding space to yield you back. 

It was my feet that gave up. 

No longer able to walk on eggshells for you. 

I no longer walk on eggshells for you. 

Written February 25, 2023