Tim Kasher
Break Me Open
I used to believe in the sound
The sound of the ocean, an infinite current
To carry us
Now, there's a silence in the air
Equally infinite, but utterly desolate -
A desert hush

I packed up my old childhood
And threw it in the abyss
If someone would only dive down
And recover it
Break me open

I've got my crosses to bear
I'll be a husband, I'll be a father,
I'll be your friend
But don't hang me up all at once
It's best not to barter with how much
Your martyr will overstretch

With arms held out so wide,
You once nuzzled up inside
Now, they're padlocked across
This chest of old resentments
Break me open

(This morning has opened my eyes
These daily rehearsals, concentric circles
Of you and I -
I can't find the bullseye)

I fell down a well in my mind
And I can't traverse it
No, I can't reverse it to save my life
If only you'd throw down a rope -
But you can't be bothered,
You've got your own problems,
You've had enough

Not that I could blame you -
Okay, we both know that's a lie -
You shoulder the blame as I
Stomach the shame in this
Bottomless cavern
If you'd break me open

If you should ever read this,
It's not a cry for help
It's a plea for some far deeper need
We couldn't possibly fathom
Break me open