i tried
i planted the seeds
watered them
let the sun in
pulled the weeds

the garden bloomed

but what should have been
flowers and love
turned into
discord and confusion

so i choose
the hardest thing
and the bravest—
to leave the garden behind

hope has grown heavy
lemons fill the branches
and i will not
make lemonade

yes it hurts
to let go
of what i tended
with such care

but i cannot
live a lie