I KNOW ANGER WELL
Alli Tschirhart

He comes over often,
arms overflowing with gifts I don’t want
I offer him tea, which he always declines
He instead prefers whiskey
and a cigarette hanging from his lips
I’ve told him no smoking in my house, 
I’m renting
He scoffs and lights up

Most times he arrives with unwanted guests:
depression, rejection, anxiety
All setting their hot cups on my furniture
Please, use a coaster
The rings set in the wood,
not something I can easily clean

My lover doesn’t appreciate
anger, just finds him rude and
difficult
I try to tell him I am working on it,
He just needs a place to stay
every once in a while

The truth is I worry
I worry he has my secrets
Secrets I don’t want anyone knowing,
holding against me
So, I let him walk all over me
My friend, anger.