coarctation

I outgrew you
long ago.
Like some
well-loved
sweater
from
childhood,
Like some
corset
clinging
to my
frame,

You bound
and warped.
You suffocated
and bit.

Like some
bent tree,
i grew
stunted by
your rocky
soil.

Until the sweater
finally tore,
until the clasps rusted,
the corset fell to the floor,
until the tree was
transplanted
to a distant shore.

i've retired you.
i'm starting to breath.
my blossoms
unfurl.

--bruised orange