At night
the cat is curled up beside me
his white paws like little socks
I hear the sink go on and
I try not to listen
to the water running

I know what it means
when I lean against the door
and hear her
whispering to herself

saying crazy things so
she has an excuse
to keep going
then
having to stop
because she’s
crying too hard

I don’t turn the knob
but I picture it
anyway
the water running down
the drain like her tears
Are poison and acid

when I lay in bed
at night
trying to sleep
and I hear the sink go on

those tears
like poison and acid
burn me too

so when I think of her retching
the back of her throat
hurts
but she keeps going and

when I lay in bed
at night and
hear the sink go on,
I feel like I’m dying
Just like she does