The path diverges

For a long time we walked together

at times you carried me

at times I carried you

at times we leaned on each other to keep our collective balance, you see

somewhere along the way though your grip began to tighten

I notice the bruises on my arm

How long have those been there?

It hurts I say to myself but those bruises are just the proof of how much you need me

I must be there for you despite the hurt, despite the marks accumulating on my body

a tiny cut, this littlest prick of thorns, my body scraped against the brambles to help

you keep your balance

step my step death by a thousand paper cuts I once heard them say

I cry out, I am bleeding

"oh I know" you say,

"I feel the same way" you say

your feelings are my feelings

nothing is yours

it is all an extension of me

there is only me

no thee

no we

me

me

me

smaller and smaller I shrink

I shrink to fit the spaces you allow me to occupy

I stand two inches tall on the ground so close to your shoe

"that size will do"

I live on your crumbs

strategically thrown to keep me alive when I'm just about to die

shrinking to nothing

walking gingerly in the way you have taught me

avoiding your disapproval 

We come to a place in our journey where the path splits

I must walk in my own direction

and you must walk in yours

for I am two inches tall and the space you have allowed

for me is only one inch tall

it is an impossibility of physics

and I cannot shrink myself down

so small

my current hunger requires more than crumbs and living under your thumb

I wish you well