There was once a mentor
whom I dearly admired
I told him the darkest inner-workings of my mind
he listened gently with good intent
and last I said,
"There is no one in this world
who is going to give a **** about yourself,
There is no one in this world
who will genuinely take on the role
of make-believing your hero,
pretending to be everything,
anything
that you truly wanted.
I've come to realize,
no one gives. a. ****.
I am going to be my own savior."
I let a genuine smile reach my lips

he remained speechless
the silence and tension was palpable,
seemingly endless

Slowly, he looked up.

he stared hard into my glassy eyes
held my gaze firmly,
as I struggled to keep mines

my own savior?

"That's impossible", he replied

There was a quiver of my lower lip
a collapse in my chest

I could feel myself shattered.

With trembling hands
I reached out and asked the question I so constantly asked
and yet never dared ask,

*"Why...