Judges 4: In Writing

 If you go with me, I will go

And if you will not go with me, I won't go

but stand in place

mule-faced, kicking the floor

I said, Get dressed!

You say: You're not helping me.

 

I say, We'll be late.

you hold out your arms, so you do it.

Legs outstretched like a mannequin

knees locked unyielding 

marionette with invisible strings

that twitch away from me. 

No glory in this path

mouth twisted to rictus

coaxing, cajoling, screaming--

nothing helps.

All you want is to fall

burrow deep into the floor

I want to go back into your belly, you say.

I want to be inside.

But if they kill you, you add

I'll die too.