How to walk away

When he says 

he doesn't love you anymore, 

roll your shoulders back 

and look him in the eye. 

Even when it feels like 

your ribs are breaking inward. 

When he digs up old aches 

that he swore he forgave you for, 

smile and ask him 

why he didn't leave you sooner. 

Ignore the way the words 

feel like sandpaper running 

all the way up your throat 

to your mouth. 

When he blames you for mistakes 

that wear his face, 

don't scream. 

When he judges you 

by your past, 

don't cry. 

Tell him there are people 

who would be proud to say 

they'd love you. 

Tell him that in two years 

you won't even remember his name. 

And don't let him see 

the way you can taste your own lie. 

When he leaves, 

ignore the heat in your blood 

and don't get up after him. 

Not even to lock the door. 

And when you leave, 

keep putting one foot 

in front of the other. 

Walk away without looking back. 

Don't smell his shirts 

when you box them up 

to give them back. 

Not one.

Swear off dating when you realize 

you're just chasing ghosts 

that wear his smile. 

It's okay to cry over him. 

It's okay to miss him.

It's even okay to forgive him. 

But don't go back to him. 

Even when it’s 2 am 

and your eyes are rimmed red 

from tears and your heart 

is pounding against your rib cage, 

desperate for a little affection. 

Don't pick up your phone 

and text him a message. 

Don't turn around 

when he's calling your name. 

Not when he's begging for you 

to just give him a brief look. 

If he didn't know how to 

love you the first time, 

he won't know how to 

do it the next.

— m.f. // How to walk away 

and pretend it doesn't hurt