Emily N. Howard

You asked, so I don’t know
how to say it was a violation.
You asked for a kiss and then expected
my tongue, my hips.
I walked away like it was any other thing
I said yes to
and caved in on myself the rest of the day.

Later your mind split me apart
from all good things,
which was a relief
because my body can’t split 
the past from your tongue
though I tried to convince you
I loved you enough.

The shame of saying yes
just because it seemed 
unreasonable to refuse
is fused with that other time and place.
In those years since
did you once think back 
and wonder
if it was unreasonable to ask?