I met you in honesty,

and you met me in disguise.

I told you my dreams,

and you traced them with lies.

I held out my hands…unguarded,

but you filled them with promises,

thin and burning,

smoke clouds began rising.

The only proof you were ever here.

I could have loved you,

and I would have waited.

But I was lied to.

I wanted you to make it up,

to say it’ll get better,

to undo all your wrongs,

but you can’t take back the lies,

and I can’t take back my feelings.

Because I wanted you,

but wanting only taught my heart

how to shy away from love,

how to flinch at softness,

how to question what felt warm.

And now,

I refuse to carry your sins as my own.