I love you, but it hurts
The kind of hurt that we adore
The kind of hurt that makes you stay
The kind of hurt that tastes like cherry cola
So sweet you ignore the poison it harbors

Tell me your biggest fears.
I can’t fix them anyway.
Sleep with the lights on,
break the mirror.

Don’t be afraid.
Scars — they don’t fade,
but somehow,
you always look the same.

Tell me to leave,
then pull me back in.

I won’t look back.
Don’t ask me again.
I don’t fetch.
I won’t chase.
Tell me to clean up —
don’t ask me to change.

Haunted by ghosts —
maybe they’ll leave.
The demons ring,
answer the door.
Still cutting up
the line that we walk.

And when you break,
down on the ground,
I’ll stay barefoot
on the cold, messy ground.
Waiting for you.
I’ll pick up the rest.

Leave it right there.
Don’t beg for it back.
Looking for cover
under this glass.

Don’t say it’s alright

when you smile like that.

yeah, I break

just seeing your face.

Fashioned to a piercing Arrowhead…
Don’t “tough-love” me! I’ve heard it said,
A good whipping was proof he cared.
I’ve knelt in confession to prepare
For a switch lashing my behind,
discipline—“for love” she piously chimed.
Caring hearts don’t char their object of affection
Or carry knives to slice away obsession
Either love me tender, love me sweet;
or speak honestly—
you have no heart for me.

I see her
The way she stands
The way she smiles
It angers me.

Why won’t she listen
Why won’t she quit
She’s mine and should-
Always listen,

It makes her think I’m cruel
I’m cold and incapable of love
But I gave her all and everything I had
I install her with fear, for the world-
And all that’s around her
I truly love her, but wished she’d disappear.

She wants to make her own decisions
Fine go be your own grown up
And find out the world can’t take you
You’re too much until you’re too little
She’s the thread, and I keep pulling
Why does she want to leave…

They’ll eat you alive
I’m just trying to help
Even out of spite,
So when she breaks-
At least I warned her
She’ll never make it alone.