never make a promise
never tell someone you
always will
never say you won’t
do it again
never look into their eyes
to make sure they know

never make a promise,
I promise you,
you’ll break it

because:
that’s what they’re for

promises

“for breaking
and destroying
and nothing
else”

as the instructions go/
learn from the label:

never make a promise
to your mother,
your brother,
your lover,
your co-worker

never commit to
stopping an addiction,
keeping up a love,
or being something
or not something
forever

never make a promise,
never ever
do.

there’s enough pain
in this world
for promises to
die out

so I beg of you

tell your children
tell your friends
tell your family
tell your church

never make a promise
most especially to