Bitter Love

How disrespectful of me

to love people

beyond my capabilities.

It is a delusional, ludicrous,

and painful way to be.

I sacrifice and bleed,

while somehow expecting

people to do the same

for me.

I cannot keep shredding

myself like paper,

dispersing the pieces,

and expecting

to feel whole.

I cannot keep

hiding in my shell

to protect myself

from the damage

of love’s hell—

A hell that

I’m damned

to never leave.

A hell that

feels just right

for me.