I had originally started writing this poem last fall about a toxic friendship I had been in when I was younger. Recently, I have revisited it and thought that I was ready to reveal my inner truth and past demons out into the open so they could escape from me.

Poetry is an art form that I love because it allows me to express myself in words I usually wouldn't say aloud and can often be relatable. This poem represents not only something I experienced, but a common experience between men and women alike.

I need to breathe you out,

I needn't breathe you in.

Whenever I'm in doubt,

I just can't let you win.

We've been give and take for so long,

And now I'm trying to be strong.

Because I know you're just downright wrong

For me.

I need to sleep you off and wake up from this nightmare,

And realize that in reality, you were not there

When I needed you the most.

So now I'll drift off like a ghost.

Live my life and let you live yours.

Love is not interchangeable with chores.

It ought to come naturally and be fun,

Not something that has to forcibly be done.

Sorry to just be a bitch and run,

But I had to let to let it go.

I just have to let you go.

You should already know

How much I loved you so.

And it brutally pains me to throw

Everything away like this.

I will always cherish and miss

The close bond we initially shared.

Now I refuse to shed a tear,

Especially if it's strictly out of fear

That I will never find someone to connect with on a deeper level.

Sure we had great memories, but I refuse to dwell

On what was and what could have been.

We had something special, or at least I thought we did

At first.

Things eventually turned sour

Until we eventually hit the eleventh hour

When we realized we couldn't make ends meet.

I have grown stronger now; at the time I was just a kid

I realized that I was just a fool

For you.

I would have given anything to see you smile.

Be one of the first numbers in your speed dial.

I never wanted to hurt you like you eventually did to me.

And now you and I must be free

From one another.

Give space to each other.

Turn the page and move on.