Isolation doesn't last

Because I loved you:

I isolated myself just to be around you.

I forgave you every time you cheated.

I pretended not to hear the words you screamed at me.

I gave you money everytime you asked. 

I let myself believe you cared. 

But you didn't even care when I got raped.

So I left you.

And someone new stepped up to the plate years later. 

Because they love me:

They encourage me to go out with friends.

They kiss my forehead when I wake up in the morning. 

They hold my hand on my way to therapy. 

They show me off to their friends and family. 

They stare at me like they have never seen someone so beautiful.

They tuck me in when I go to sleep.

They cried for me when they learned my story.

They care. 

And every time they look at me, I can't understand how I settled for anything less.