Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will still hurt me.

Point the finger, blame me for dreaming of something that was once a reality.

I don't want to be that guy, you know?

You were that guy, and I was that girl, if only for a 24-hour period.

Make up the words you know I want to hear and spit them in my ear.

Tell me you find me attractive because you've always known that's all I want to know.

Sprinkle the dust of faded ideas back into my brain, the door not sealed tight enough so that these thoughts slides right back inside.

I plan the trip out in my mind and can taste the Atlantic Ocean in my throat and feel the burn in my eyes as I let those stupid tears out.

One day when we're married . . .

I'm too fragile to get caught in the tight twists you try to wring out on my heart.

My skin is glass, my heart is paper, my mind is filled with ashes.

I find my feet after weeks of trying to gather myself enough to feel like I'm okay.

I don't know the word no.

I shrivel and sink back into my sheets when I realize I will never be what I want you to see.

One day, maybe some day, I will realize the fool I made myself to be more than I already do.

I slip off my top with my calloused writing hands.

I hold myself tight because nobody else will.

I'm just so lost and confused.

I see you when I wake up sometimes and smile before I cry.

Maybe if I do the good things in life, I'll get good in return.

I take the blame for our mistake.

I take every negative part of an innocent exchange and plaster over myself.

Convince me that you feel bad too, and I'll still cover for you.

Ignore me like they always do when they realize how broken I am.

People pleaser, or shall I say male pleaser?

Silence

Don't we all live broken lives?

I guess I just want it to be me who smiles from the attention I've craved.

This is my mom and our home-cooked meal for the evening.

This is the ring you'll give to me when you're ready.

This is the first lie you'll tell.

This is where I let you destroy me one more time, too.

I'll back off, though.

Give you the space to think about everything I put on the plate.

You knew I would open up to you, because I always do and never learn.

Foolish little girl who believes that some man can save her from her own self destructive ideas.

You loved me.

That never changed.

You were the one that got away.

Was it because I bored you?

Ignored you?

Gave you everything you needed in the moment?

I hope you don't visit me in my dreams tonight because I can't handle another person leaving after I've taken the blame.

Maybe one day this will work.

Maybe one day I'll be everything for someone who doesn't just want me but needs me.

Maybe one day you'll look back and see.