Monday, December 9, 2024

Untouched

Upon learning my love language
equals “acts of service”
and yours is “physical touch,”
 
            you refused
to ask me for anything—
not a single favor—
lest I express my affection too loudly.
 
You could not let yourself
value my help. You would not listen,
 
which I guess is only fair,
 
since I am rife with trust issues
and can hardly bear to be touched.
I would hold you, if I could.
 
I would shop for groceries,
do your laundry, walk the dogs,
clean the house, mow the lawn.
 
            I suppose 
we had a conversation breakdown
because we do not share
a common tongue.
 
Expressions of love and loyalty
are lost in translation.

 

 

"Untouched" was included in Issue 8 (the Spring 2024 issue) of LEVITATE, the Literary and Art Magazine of the Chicago High School for the Arts.

 Eric

No comments: