be kind, and i will tell you

be kind and i will tell you
of the breaking place
where strong legs buckle
and stitches start to burst

touch my face and i will tell you
of the breaking place
where you clutch your boulder
with shaking hands and kick
to keep from drowning

kiss my cheek and i will tell you
of the breaking place
where the whole weight
of the world is not enough
where the world itself
looks down
and away

take me home
and i will show you
we do it to ourselves.