my chest is suffocating me
I cannot even gasp for breath
due to the chasm of empty inside my ribcage
a black hole that vacuums up any emotion
i am devoid of passion now
and the joy i once felt
has long since fallen behind
as i ran from my fears and doubts
my memory is full
of promises shrouded in pain
and lies tied with satin bows
masking the poison they contain,
that, in time, will surely be my undoing
I have told myself so often
do not trust, do not befriend those
who have the power to hurt you
and each time i do
and each time i regret it
and recall the reason why i should not.