"I, Of Course" - Free Verse

Last winter, you took me in.

Best friends, you called it.

Forever.

So I, of course, could not object.

We bought friendship necklaces and I thought they were dumb,

but I wore mine all the time because I never had one before.

We gossiped, we shopped, and we laughed

though we never really communicated.

You led and I followed

but I, of course, could not mind.

We were still wearing our necklaces, though,

and that was good enough.

But I realized my necklace became a leash one day

and when I try to escape,

you hold me back because you said forever

and I, of course, cannot say anything.

I am choking, helpless,

and all I want is for you to ask me how I’ve been for once

but you lead, I follow –

and you, of course, would never care anyways.