"This is not a birthday card"

You're that "friend,"
that's never really your friend.
You'll invite us over your parent's house,
let us watch your dog,
but to you
that shit doesn't really mean
anything
Because you never like anyone
enough to let them in.
Because you don't understand yet
that people's flaws
are the best parts about them.

Here's your birthday present.
I am giving it to you now
because I don't want it to be
my responsibility anymore.
I don't feel the same way about it
when I was buying it for you
And I don't want to return it either,
even though I've thought about it.

Happy early birthday
(asshole),

- Emily

"ok," as i smile, i say

ok. ok. ok . o k . . o  k  . .   .
yes, i will do that.
i will be
what you want from me
head nodding, uh huh, oh yeah
i will be
what you dont want to do
is me
i will be    it
all day long for you
so you can
have a seat and relax
so you can feel alright later
feel like the man
feel big and
over
powering.
ok, yes
of course i will
oh definitely
as i smile
i say
i hate all that you are
i hate so much i cry
on porch steps
near trash cans
in spiderwebs
i dont care
cause im crying
at work
in bathrooms
hiding in petting
your dog
because i need warm things
to close my arms around.
to enfold into
like a pretzel
because my mom is far
and all i have is my sleeve