Calming The Disease

When they had finished
She lay in his arms briefly

Then suddenly began
Getting up as programmed

Because she had learned that
Hypervigilance was the only survival

Mechanism she could depend on
And distance if wanted to keep a man

“Shhh, come back to bed,” he said
Sure arms wrapping to cage her gently

And she yielded gratefully
But couldn’t help twitching

Like an injured bird afraid
Of love’s healing hands