What’s that saying?

“Fool me once, shame on you.

Fool me twice, shame on me.”

I should have known from the start

you were never in it.

I pulled away once,

but still, I chose to give you another chance,

because you said you changed.

Because you said you wanted me…

But only after someone else was already after me.

You couldn’t bear the thought

of anyone else having my attention,

so you told me you loved me,

because you knew that was all I ever wanted to hear.

I should have known when you called her beautiful,

as I stood there…

features opposite, like the sun and moon.

I should have known,

because you once mentioned in passing

that was your type.

Was it worth it?

In a way.

I don’t regret it, not exactly,

but I wish it had been different.

Not different as in us,

I’ve moved past that.

More like… a confirmation

of what I already knew.

A realization that we never

should have taken that chance.

It wasn’t fire and ice.

It was me burning,

while you stood in the cold,

watching, waiting,

asking me to stay in the flames

until you decide.

But no more,

because who asks someone they love to wait?

And then I remembered,

you never loved me.

At least, not in that sense.

You loved the idea of me,

What I did.

How I provided.

I made you feel safe,

carrying your secrets around my neck

until they suffocated me.

Lying to myself, believing you loved me.