I'm stronger for saying goodbye.
I'm braver for holding her hand even if it felt like fire.

I'm smarter for letting you scream,
for scraping my tongue clean of your words,
for burning my face with red hot tears instead of burning out my throat.

I'm better for peeling off the scabs and calling my mother right afterward.
I'm better for throwing away the scraps.
I'm better for clenching only with empty fists and torn nails.
I'm better than this.