free gift

it was a gift.
a box of temptation
handed to me with a smile
i think about it— i handle temptation all day
japanese steel, galvanized edges
cold metal a constant
but i use those to create
and these have only served one off-label purpose for me.

i chuckle nervously
heart pounding
because how would they know?
i can’t tell her i shouldn’t have them
so i quickly tuck them away
like a shameful secret
they sit in my bag all day
and i forget about them
a tiny yellow box
with big red text
warning me

i lay in bed
alone with my thoughts
my suitcase strewn across the room
my bag filled with free samples
photo booth strips
business cards from friends
my brand new clippers
this bag— filled with people and things i love
but somehow, even with all the light
the only thing i can think about
is the tiny yellow box
with big red text

warning me

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