A Tenant

When the thief stole your blushes,
I ran after him and caught him
and beat him to pulp before
he could answer; why?

When your nightmares were just
a seizure away, and, you were scared
and restless;
sleep feels dishonourable
at a time when you’re clothed in
a nuisance of your own—
I’ve known.

When your pale photographs
looked as if filled by pastel colors,
as if a fear crowned your eyes &
implicitly ran a silent appeal
through the court of my heart;
I knew I should have lingered
and, and, like a shadow quietly
leans over your shoulder—
I should have surrendered
myself under your feet
like a noon shadow—
made you a bed,
held your feet,
and fastened myself
to you.