Poem: You do not know that story

You do not know that story

Why would you?  It is not
one anybody else would tell.
They would not tell it,
I do not think, and not to you.
Why would they tell you?
You do not need to know.
I know you do not need to know.
I don't want to tell you,
don't want you to know.
I think it would hurt you.
Maybe, I am wrong.
It might mean nothing
or you might understand
another perspective on it.
Maybe, I am afraid of that
and do not tell you.
It could be.  I might 
be lying to myself
that you are the one
I am protecting,
that I am keeping you safe.
That I just wrote that
makes a strong case, perhaps...
I still don't plan to tell you,
even though I know
it means you can't understand
how I feel about them,
and why I am unable to trust them.

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