untitled

i put cracks in my skin

akin to the cracks in my heart

once complete, and now

a shredded masterpiece

you smile and hold me tight

as light fades and so do i

as if you could be the salve

to the cries of this broken girl.

because i love you

i keep you at an arm’s length

the same arms that are marked

with scars and with fresh wounds.

i keep you away, not that

i may protect you, but

you, with your flippant tongue

would break me down.

so i protect both of us

myself, and yet you too

so i don’t hate you

as i hate myself.