My father once told me
to never let anyone but family
get this close to your exposed heart.
He said it would not be worth
cracking your sternum for them,
to watch them feast on you slowly.
My father is the kindest man
I have ever known,
but I never took anyone’s advice so badly.
Because he knew then
what I do not fully know now.
He knew how much I always wanted
to please everyone, except for myself.
Because that would be selfish
and we are not selfish people.
So I will close my eyes and hum loudly
over the gnawing I can feel at my ribcage.
