Infinitely, a nervous reaction…
the clearing of a rusty throat,
the way she dragged her bitten nails down a smooth surface.
Sobering gestures that never quite turned off.
Frowning freckles from a belittled cough.
I began to be schooled in this manicured, depressed, mania.
It appears obvious, now.
The teacher gave herself away.
Now the student has become the teacher.
I am the disciple with a double-edged sword.
To cut through what I adore.
And, what I abhor.