out of all the lives in the world
this one was meant for us
.

he goes by
shame
and
pride
and the fear
of feeling
too much
for something
that might turn out
to be nothing
.

He is going to peel me apart
gently
dissolve me
with his acid tongue
because he doesn’t know it hurts
.
He will cradle my head
in his hand
while he rips out my spine
so he can be my crutch
.
He is going to break me
and I am going to let him
.

that you’ve taken
my brain away from me  
that my entire being
is consumed
by thoughts of you
I’ve never wanted
to belong to somebody
so much
.

and cradle the clouds
between the calluses
on your fingers
sometimes
the rain may taste sweet
.
It will stain
the back of your tongue
where you let lies
swim behind your teeth
you’re a sticky
kind of sweet
.

I’ve separated myself
into boxes under the bed
and into cupboards
behind the important things
so there’s never a chance
I’ll get in the way
you can easily find
all the parts of me you need
and ignore all the rest
.

he might tell you
draping over
your insecurities
his love is a gift
you don’t deserve
be grateful
.
he will own you
because owning
something
is better than
nothing
he’ll put pennies
in your pockets
to remind you
that you’re worthless
.
your arms only matter
when they’re wrapped
around his waist
at least they look
slimmer that way
.
you are his coatrack
where he’ll hang his
disappointment
don’t snap
when he gets
too heavy
don’t breath
when he needs
your air
don’t exist
when he wants
some space
.
live
in the confines
of when it is
convenient
.
don’t
unless he asks you to
.