Ethel, the devil's thoughts

Ethel, you are not outside

My shield inconsistently protects

I fought to keep you at bay

My mind inconsistently protests

Ethel, you’re not far enough away

I feel you in my hands

Traversing my barriers

I feel me in your hands

Ethel, you’re not quite banished

Unless a part of me is too

What remains when I remove

This part of me that’s you?