When the Rust Wore Through

We saw each other’s depths,
unknowingly,
and kept each other out,
not knowing the other
had already penetrated
our defenses;
unaware,
protecting ourselves
with rusty weapons,
weary from misuse.

Our weapons failed.
We were far apart.

When the rust wore through,
and the wood decayed,
and our armor grew holes,
and we had no choice;
our weapons fell,
our armor let down,
and we went to find the other.