I never needed
to raise my voice.

You filled the room
well enough for both of us.

I spoke plainly.
Carefully.

Trying not to bruise
the small kingdom
you guard inside your chest.

Still, the anger came.

Not for shouting.
Not for cruelty.

For the simple crime
of telling the truth.

Your voice grew larger
until my words
had nowhere left to stand.

Later
you wondered
why I had gone quiet.

But silence was the only place left
where you could not follow.