which is better than when he pulls away
which he doesn't do so much now
i'm always careful not to touch him
he sleeps alone all day
and works at night while i sleep
we barely see each other
and he seems to breathe easier that way
while i hold my breath
i don't dare to breathe
he can be too mean
and i try to turn away again
i wish he knew how it felt when he pulled away
and if he does, he really is mean
i try to pretend this is natural
that caregiver burnout can lead to this
but that it's reversible
that i can get better and pull this out of the toilet
but i know i won't get better
i know the nature of my illness and
i know it can be controlled, not cured
and i try to do everything he says
even everything he suggests
i am ready when he needs me
if he ever needs me to help him
which i think he does, but
he could be just keeping me busy
and it came down to this
his turning away from me again