I am raw, vulnerable as she brands me
In big block letters, across my open throat
SELFISH

I’ll feed her sweetness and vinegar
Brush her hair delicately.
I’ll clean her scarred body,
Paint her face happy.
She is me, and I am her,
And someone has to take care of her.

I walked away
And I know I’m supposed to feel stronger
But my bones seem to creak now
And my chest sings hollow
And the breeze makes me shudder.

Empowerment
Feels a lot like weakness
Sometimes.

I awoke, and his words were not
A cruel, twisted nightmare.
I deserve better
Than this.

He told me he loved her
A stubborn, honest truth,
That I already knew.

I had a nightmare about you.
A nightmare where you told me
You didn’t want me.

When I woke up close to tears,
Shaking in your t-shirt,
I knew you could hurt me.

Early morning haze,
You pull me closer, closer.
Is it me, that you want?
Or do you just need to remind yourself
You aren’t alone.