and slink into the shadows
Espen calls!
your body quivers and hums
you pull the phone as far as the cord will reach
sit on the bathroom floor
he starts in English
switches to norsk
sounds and syllables bathe your brain
in peace, in calm, in care
he’s not dating anyone
(of course he’s not)
he misses you so much
(of course he does)
he wants to come visit
he wants to help
nei
nei, nei, nei
det må du ikke gjøre
you don’t want him anywhere near your family
anywhere near their contagious toxicity
but you are there, he says
you are not immune
how is that okay?
that’s different
you were infected at your mother’s breast
there’s no vaccine
only quarantine by oceans and continents
the cupboard in your chest creaks
the rusty hinges strain against
your reluctant heart