AN: Hello, my fellow Tangled-loving friends! Today, I humbly offer to you an original poem which is directly correlated to the storyline of my ongoing fic, 'Killing Me Slowly.' Writing poetry is very near and dear to my heart, and honestly, my favorite way to express myself and my emotions. Writing poetry feels like baring my entire heart, so sharing it with others is something that I've always been a little apprehensive about – but I wanted to give it a try.

This poem was written with the purpose of essentially encompassing the events of 'Killing Me Slowly' up until this current point in time — meaning, if you haven't checked the story out yet, this poem probably won't make a whole lot of sense! And to my wonderful 'Killing Me Slowly' readers, I hope that you'll enjoy this little treat from me, and please let me know your thoughts! I'm thinking of starting an ongoing New Dream poetry collection, because why not combine my two favorite things? I understand that poetry isn't everyone's cup of tea. But give it a shot, and perhaps you'll enjoy it!

Time to Let Go

I count all my footsteps that creak on your floorboards

I'll never be okay if I can't have you anymore

I tried to stay away, tried to make this easier

But nothing is easy with his ring on my finger

I awaited the bone crush as I started to fall

He made a joke but I didn't laugh at all

The words don't leave his lips like they would leave yours

So I keep my heart closed and my eyes on the door

And the marble floors were stained with your blood

And your fist left a bruise on his lungs

I watched as the tears dripped like crystals on your cheeks

And I watched as you cried because you had lost me

The candle wax is dripping from the chandeliers

I'm trying to be okay now that you're not here

We once were so golden but now we've been stained

By the green of his envy, his voice cursing your name

Midnight in the garden, you begged me to go

We could just disappear and leave all that we know

But I left you standing there, crestfallen in the moonlight

And still to this day, I feel guilty for that night

Because a crown leaves a heavy weight upon your head

And my body left an imprint on the sheets in your bed

I watched from the waves as you ran down the dock

And I watched as you swam and floated there in the shock

I paint over the walls and I haunt all of the halls

And I can't fake a smile at this miserably long ball

I recall the way that your fingers would brush mine

I think about you and your face all the damn time

You creep into my dreams while he sleeps in our bed

I'd give anything to be in these sheets with you instead

He'll burn down this kingdom if only to have me

And then he will say I've had all of this coming

He'll make sure to tell me I'm the one to blame

Because I let you put your hands all over me

And people like me, they will never really know

When to move on and when it's time to let go.