I said those three forbidden words,
Watching them tumble out of my mouth with the rest of my soul.
I meant to say them even less than the others.
I didn't even know they were there,
Buried amidst the broken rubble that was my heart,
Until I saw them panting on the ground, exposed,
And I knew then and there that if they were destroyed,
I would die.
Really, I appreciate you taking your time,
Choosing your words carefully so as best to crush my soul,
But the wait gives me time to hope- and hope is not the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul-
It is a dangerous demon, a monster,
And I must rely on it to survive.
You must think me a fool to follow you as I do
Trailing after you like a puppy does his master
Who has not yet realized that his master has turned him away.
A fool I am to let you take advantage of me
A fool I am to be willing to fight for you
But in all my stupidity, I-
I would give everything for you.
~X~X~
~ 100 Themes Challenge #19: Everything for You. Credit: the well-known poet Emily Dickinson for the line "Hope is the thing with feathers/ that perches in the soul." Reviews are love. ~