I once loved someone exactly how they wanted.
When they stumbled, I put my body between them and the ground.
When they were cold, I gave them the clothes
from my own back even if I was freezing too.
Broke my bones in two to build them bridges.
Gave my own freedom up to release them from their cages.
I thought if I gave and gave that one day
they would turn round and love me back.
They smiled as they left,
taking all of my love with them,
leaving a hole in my chest so large nothing can fill it, saying,
‘Silly girl.
That isn’t what love is about.’