It was like a red
silk ribbon
That wrapped around
my hand flowing
over each vein,
wrinkles and gaps
that were available
and tied a bow
at my wrist
it was so pretty
that I let it
hold onto me
where ever I went
but one day I felt a loss
The loss of a feeling
in one of my fingers.
others suggested I cut it off,
another said to take it
off.
But only a few
people knew whilst
all the others
admired its beauty
like I did.
It did cause me pain
from time to time but
I always forgive it.
I sometimes see the
marks it left behind on
my skin.
I kept telling myself,
“don’t worry, it’s nothing
too major, it will heal soon”
But there I laid
wounded and tired
reclusive and timid
distant and lonely
sad and conflicted.
Your bounds on me
got tighter and tighter
and tighter
and tighter
as the
years went
on.
I was worried about
every move I made
every sound I said
every looks I had
every time, all the
time.
One day I had enough,
because you went too far
and hurt everyone I
care for.
I couldn’t salvage our
friendship, but only miss it
as the hour went by.
So I ripped off that silky
ribbon
Strand by strand
until there was none left to pick at

I am sorry for the pain I’ve caused and I forgive you in return. But I cannot let you latch onto me again where it does no one good.