Dear L.M.,

I recall an exchange I had with a women,

Whom I seeked council from.

"She gave you a lot of power," she said with a 

Flat

Affect.

I was dismayed.

I had poured my hurt and trauma from the deep bottle inside me,

-For the first time-

-Soon to be the last-

 

I sat on this reflection for quite some time.

If she meant power to look at myself and feel instantly disgusted,

-You gave me that.

Or the power to constantly wonder if I am ruining everyone else's life by asking if you needed anything,

- That power you gifted me.

Or was it the power to want to tear the skin right from my body so I cannot burden anyone else as I so burdened you

- You thrusted that power upon me,

I felt it wafting through every pore of my being for a long time.

 

If all of those, 

Last parting gifts of our friendship,

Were what she had in mind;

You gave me all the power

In the world

To make me feel

Less worth

Than 

A

Speck

Of 

dirt.

 

Sincerely not your friend,

W. Phillips