You held my notebook in your hands, flipping through the pages gingerly

You have no idea
how hard it was for me
to place my soul in your palms
and watch you read the words that constantly bleed out of my heart
from a wound you caused

i still think about you
and wonder if you care
but you never call or text
it’s like i was never there

you don’t know what it’s like
this feeling of grey
i still think back to that last night
i wish you would’ve stayed

i gave you all of me
and got nothing in return
my bedside’s full of empty bottles
that go down like a slow burn

even though you hurt me
I still wish you nothing but the best
People say that’s what love is

and i know.  i have loved you ever since we met.

a fire starts to build in my stomach
igniting the words that i swallow every time i see you
the flames lick my lips every time i open to speak
can you see them?
they crave skin to sear and bone to melt
my body grows scales to cover the lacerations you left
and my arms dissipate into leathered wings so they can no longer hold you
can you see how you’ve changed me?
wait, you didn’t change me
you just unleashed me