When he means it,
Sometimes you’ll
Never know.

He may restrain himself,
Hold the squishy pieces
In a safe 
In a bank
In another state.

The advice he gives,
When you have asked,
Is pragmatic 
Precise
And if you hold it
Closely
You may catch
A faint whiff of
Bleach.

When he means it,
You may perceive it 
As denial
Though from his 
Perspective
He’s sparing you
A heartache.

When it’s nothing
Every light is
Green
On an orange barrelled
One lane road
That’s closed.

When it’s nothing
It is you
Who must secure
The valuables
In a safe
In a bank
In another state.