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lend me your ear
let me cut the cartilage clean from your flesh
this is easier than loving you
easier than tucking in your fears at night
when you refused to call your children by first name
soldier,
lend me your hand
let me slice away the life that beats beneath your callouses
gun heavy hand weighted with decisions born into breath
i see you shaking
wishing everything real to dim and dull in the light
leave you the shadows to bait with your tongue and prayer
tuck the babies away from the window, you offer
your only parental guidance yet
this makes you feel better
to offer advice about windows
when the open doors bare fangs