an old flame.
writing about you is easy.
i miss the sweetness of our love
before it turned sour.
both inexperienced,
but you still wanted more than i could give.
everything came much too early,
and i think we’re both to blame.
the truth is,
i wasn’t looking to love you.
i was looking to love something.
societal pressures to be in a state
of young love got to both of us.
“i love you,” you said.
it wasn’t just the words you said
but it was when you said them.
it’s silly to have words like that
have a hold on you, but they do.
since i had a hard time showing love,
you assumed i had no love to give.
your blatant jealousy burned me,
even though i once held the same match.
everything about us was dangerous.
when the fire erupted,
i was the first to douse the flames.
now here i sit in the ashes,
trying to imagine various “what ifs?”
soon enough, i’ll have the strength to start sweeping our mess.
-imani fudl
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