For B

The other day I was mourning the loss of our friendship. Then I started playing old tapes of our conversations in my head. There was so much laughter. I love to laugh. But then there was also so much pain. From your tongue, to and about me. I swallowed hurtful comments because of our good times. But yesterday I realized that I can keep all that laughter and still not allow you my space. My arms to slice again. I don't need you to thicken my skin. Believe me. I don't need your criticisms anymore ever. I don't need your preparation for life. Your cruelty disguised as "keeping it real." This is me taking from yesterday what blessed my life and leaving the knives behind.