miscommunication

we used to speak the same language

our mouths told stories to each other

whispered lovely secrets between our lips 

and shared breath as we kissed, slowly, softly

but now those things have fallen out of our vernacular 

instead of sweet hellos and long goodbyes

we exchange short, angry words

I don't know who we've become 

in these moments, you are a stranger to me

you reach for my hand and I flinch away,

reflexively scared of the touch that I love

not because you would ever hurt me

but because I cannot let myself be drugged by the feel of your palm against mine

if I give you an inch, you will take a mile

and even though I long for the feel of our bodies pressed together

and the smell of you clinging to every part of me

I can't let your hands promise me things that your mouth cannot