That's Not Love

Because I loved you…

I listened to the meaningless nothings

You whispered in my ear.

Did you ever really love me?

You would leave colorful bruises

All over my body.

I would hide them;

Because I loved you.

You would tell me they were accidents.

Because I thought you loved me,

I believed you.

I would tell you to stop and tell you no,

But when you didn’t listen

I just thought it was because you really loved me.

You manipulated me.

Was it because you loved me?

You invaded every piece of my body—

My tomb.

This isn’t what love looks like.

You don’t love me.

And I don’t love you.

Goodbye, because

I love me more than I thought

I loved you.

-M. Yezek