You slithered your way into my heart.
You latched onto my being and my mind you took.
You spent endless hours honing me into the perfection you wanted me to be.
I was not perfect, so perfect you had to make me.
You read me like a dyslexic, you just never understood me.
You spent endless hours chipping away at my essence.

My outlook on life was wrong.
My personality was wrong.
My reasoning was wrong.  
My character was wrong.
My being was wrong.
My essence was wrong.

You always told me you love me.
You always told me I was beautiful.
You always made me feel like I was the only girl in the world.
You always made love with your soul.
You always made it a point to drive the blade home.

Anger was the norm.
Fear was an ever lingering presence.
Joy was immense and  always shortlived
Sadness was a constant companion.
Hate was spewed on the daily.
Love was a bargaining chip.
Peace didn't like to stay in our midst.

You hate me and yet you love me.
You want to be rid of me yet you fear to be without me.
You are disgusted by me and yet you are in awe of me.
You despise me and yet you adore me.
Your words leave me writhing in agony.
Your tongue cuts me.
Your saliva soothes me over.

You.
You.
It's always you.

-Whitney Ndongo