Once so desperate for your attention

that I did handstands and magic tricks,

just for a bit of your affection,

I swallowed fire and chewed on bricks. 

I wanted you to notice me,

and like all that you would see,

yearned for your love so deeply,

like it could make me happy. 

Now in the aftermath of us,

I see that I couldn’t have been more wrong,

you made me believe in fairy tales

before you robbed me of my song. 

Stripped me of my confidence,

every time you berated me for your own indiscretions,

your insecurities ate you alive,

they were the reason why you viewed me as your

possession. 

Convinced me that you cared,

claimed that you had never been in love like this;

until you left and abandoned me,

alone to fend for myself on a sinking ship. 

Your kiss, sweeter than Belgian chocolate,

and smoother than ice wine,

quickly became toxic,

like poisoned turpentine. 

Naiveté, the reason why I fell for all your games,

foolishly believed our love was hotter than fire,

despite not seeing any flames. 

Now that I have been transformed

by the absence of you,

I have changed and grown so much

that I am now brand new. 

My heart is no longer wounded,

my skin is thick once again,

no amount of love’s carnage

will ever cause me pain. 

I am a warrior now,

a fighter with an army of one,

I would rather be alone, in love with myself,

than share my bed with anyone.