I refuse to look at you, yet
I can still feel your breath- hot
With venomous words.
Each one slides off the ***** of a smile.
Each one pierces my ear, stings my nose, makes my eyes burn.

I wanted to hear a story.

Just one. Hoping for a tradition.
You smiled and touched my cheek,
An indulgent nod your answer.
Stories of small homes becoming havens
And hurt being washed away by the purity of love.
I read and read and read.
Devouring the fantasy so fast that I couldn’t see where my feet were running.

My favorite stories had a ******
With a strong will,
a loud mouth,
and unconditional love behind her.

You told me to be my own ******
But stopped me when I started braving
The World.
You told me to be strong
But talked me down when I stood up to you.
You told me to believe in myself
But
Every time
I try to succeed
You
Always
Hold me back.