he says

you are never too much, he says,

but you need to contain yourself

you are celebrated, he says,

but only quietly when asked to be

you are welcomed, he says,

as my presence unnerves him

your passions are important, he says,

as his mind wanders away

you are allowed to feel, he says,

but don’t let it affect me

you are intelligent, he says,

never seeking my thoughts

i trust you, he says,

hovering, critiquing, doubting

you are safe here, he says,

the source of my pain

- Aidan Wagner, June 2021