Bird in a cage.

"...strings tied tightly. Tethered. Not held."

I think sometimes,

I'm mad at you.

There are reasons.

A list long enough to coat the floor.

Because in all truth,

Honesty,

Transparency,

see-through...

I was fine,

before you.

I was gracious.

Fierce.

Kind.

Calm.

Good all on my own.

I had no need

to be seen,

understood,

known.

There was no point.

And with that,

I'd made peace.

Layers on layers.

Something

no one

could meet.

There …