Because I Love Me

You struck me.

What did you expect?

Your soothing apologies

don’t remove the scars of your lashings.

What were you thinking?

You beat me down,

when I needed a hand.

You love me

so you say.

I don’t doubt that;

But you used me.

What did you think would happen?

That I’d forget?

Fall into your jagged embrace

only to be cut into pieces

emotionally? physically? verbally?

I loved you too,

but I love myself,

too much for you.