paint

I can’t scrape away
the last of my paint

just can’t

though I’ve been
peeling myself away
from these walls
seven years now

new walls, yes,
can wear my color

it’s yours I’ll miss

unforeseen complications

it’s easy enough to say
it’s complicated
and leave it at that

truth is I’ve conjured
enough complications to keep
anyone at arm’s length

a definite divide
to keep separate
your skin from mine

I never guessed
you would simply lean
over the fence