Cleaner

what happened was, I was
terrified and you were bamboo
steady and concrete strong

and the kiwi water in which you
bathed me lingered on my skin
for longer than I expected

what mattered was, I was
dissolving fast and you were staying
there behind me every time

and I felt cleaner than I
had in years, and I lost track
of my demons

what I'd wager is, you pulled
them out of my back one by
one when you pushed my muscles

and now all I have left is this
empty hole where they were, and
you fit perfectly there