growing up,
i used to
mistakenly
associate

a warm body

with
feeling
loved.

—

being loved
is

getting tucked
into bed
[with an itchy
wool comforter],

having
someone
take care
of you
[when
you are
not even
sick];

i could
not
get
myself to
have sex
with it;

love’s not
for me.

—

Blanket