i don't know
if anyone will ever love me
the way my mother loved me
or even as much as
you half-assed loved me

i can't imagine
letting anyone touch me
the way my brother touched me
the way i let you touch me again

it may be time
to put a nail in the wall
hang up the gloves
and hide the pain

shadowboxing never results in black eyes
life will turn out fine
as long as it finds
the appropriate time
to back away