Member-only story
The Desolation
A Poem for Expected Heartbreak
The Desolation
I should’ve known we were doomed
When the breakup songs
Started to remind me of you.
I use to try to write lyrics
To your whimsical melodies
Until I realized you only wanted
Parts of me -
Every piece that wasn’t tarnished.
You’d suck the life
Out of our livelihood,
Set me up in a big house
You never called home
And be with me forever
But never call me yours.
I didn’t lose you
When she moved in.
I only ever imagined this;
Having you was a fantasy
In the first place.
This whole relationship
Was taped together with
Flimsy guarantees
You never intended to keep,
Supported only by
My childish naivety;
You knew I’d believe anything.
This home we never shared was hot,
Gassed up on fumes
And gaslit in every room.
You left me in the burning doorway,
Left me to sift through the ashes.
I don’t think I’ll ever
Feel that way again,
And I finally think
That’s a good thing.
