Nutcracker of Love

Tough Nut

You’re a

tough nut

tumbled by trauma

skinned and scuffed

My only available tool

words

frank

astute

honed

pick at the smallest of openings

press in

You are seemingly

impenetrable

then

your brow arches

a smile

oh so slight

twitches your lips

One last thrust

and

you crack

A throaty laugh

escapes

a smile

oh, the unexpected sweetness

of

your smile

Our eyes meet

I

see

the

panic

but

also

the relief

of

being split wide open

soft insides

exposed

for me

to love