I knew everything had an expiry date.

But I thought things would be
different this time.

That they are different.

Perhaps I revealed  too much.
Perhaps I said  too little.
Perhaps I laughed too loud.
Perhaps I was gone  too often.
Perhaps I was who I am.

I see the end that I never thought I'd see.

Easy comfort and connection
now something that makes me
feel like an outcast.

Desiring to stay longer
becomes wanting to hide away faster.

Not showing my face,
not getting silence in return,
hearing whispers,
seeing those looks that I've never seen,
Not on their faces,
Not when it comes to me.

I should've known.

I can't do this anymore.

I had hope.

I need a welcoming warmth,
an easy connection.

Too weak for anything else,
cried too much,
for way too long.

**Alas, the date has surfaced.
We've reached an expiry.