I never meant to love you.
I never meant to ransom my heart
for lies that'll linger long after
the ashes from these brittle bones
soil the earth.
I never meant to find myself in the
center of your storm: heartsick.
My mind a chamber
for me to rot, a kingdom for you
to thrive.
I never meant to confuse peonies
for roses. And you -- you
never meant to hurt me.