How do you leave a good man who loves you?
How do you leave when he doesn’t hurt
but, you hurt nevertheless?
—when he holds you
but, you keep falling right through his chest?
—when his words cradle
but, don’t cause earthquakes?
—when his promise is a fortress
but, all you want is home with oceans and skies rushing in through doors and windows wide open?
—when his love, only loves
but, does not see.
—when you know he will stay after breakfast
but, he will never dwell your secret wells.
—when he looks at you
pleading,
but, you remain a jagged mountain
because embracing only makes things worse.
And hope, is only as foolish as fear.
So you stay hard,
you stay ugly;
and you let your life get blown along the currents of Venus and Mars
while the rest of them throw rocks at your feet, hoping you will get back in line,
or run.
But, you stay still.
You leave him.
Because, if not,
he’ll be the death of you
and worse,
you, of him.
Image—Lilith by Josh Brandao
