I never believed in love
until I loved you
and then it ruined me.

Not you.
The way I loved you.

It made the word love
uglier, holier,
sharper than scripture.

I didn’t say "I love you."
I bled it.
I begged it.
I buried myself in it.

And now when they say “love,”
I see your face
like a curse
I asked God to keep.