It knocked
softly
a breath at the door
but I
bolted the windows
and swallowed the key.

It came wearing warmth,
but I mistook it
for fire,
for teeth,
for grief with a new face.

So I fled,
faster than joy
could reach out its hand
afraid it might feel
like home.

"What would people think?"
"Nothing."
"Do you care or even think about them?
Do you have anything to blame?"
"They have their own jobs to do,
Just like you."

"Judging you from different frames,
'They' is just part of your brain."

Obsession gripping
Compulsion dominating
Total confusion

You told me you missed me,
but that was a lie,
because the only thing you missed,
was the ability to play with my mind.

My scars re-open,
Every time I hear your name,
I wish that they would just heal.

How do you come to hate,
The ones you loved?
You don't.
They tend to turn on you,
Either that,
Or they weren't real at all.
I forsake any shard of regret I had,
From leaving you,
I regret any feeling I had,
From loving you.
If anyone lost here,
It was you.
Because you'll fall back into emptiness,
Trying to replace it with people,
But I, I will not.
I'll continue to cradle my own light,
Which you came so close to taking.
I'm done sacrificing pieces of me,
In order to receive nothing.