When "I Love You" Sounds Like A War

Do not be mad if I run for cover when you say "I love you",

For I have been taught to run when something dangerous is near.

Each word leaves a ringing in my ears,

So loud, I cannot hear each word, each lie, disguised as love.

I am deafened by the sound of false admiration. 

Each word so cleverly placed;

It resembled a battle plan.

I cannot breathe because each word, each lie, feels like mustard gas in my lungs.

I am choking on your false professions of love.

Every time you smile at me, your eyes begin to resemble land mines,

more than the sand surrounding them.

You look at me and see another casuality, 

Another medal for your uniform.

Every other war I have fought,

I have walked away victorious.

With no scars to show my fight.

But this war was different,

Because in this war,

Gunshots mimic birds chirping.

And I honestly believe

I walked into this war knowing I was a dead man.

That I would take a bullet to the heart.

But still, I fall to my knees with a smile on my face.