I don’t want to be loved
I don’t want to be in love
All because of you,
what you did,
and that night—
The night
still burned in my mind
The night
I wish I could forget.

I don’t recognize
my own face.
All I see
is the mask
you taught me to wear.

The mask
to hide the bruises
to hide the hand prints
to hide the harsh words
to hide the accusations—
The reason
the world saw
the perfect couple.

The night
you went too far…
the mask,
the perfection,
were gone.

Your words were
no longer innocent.
Your movements
were quick.

I was stronger.
I was faster.

When you
finally
caught me…
I was taught
my lesson:
Don’t ever
leave again.

I was gone.

With the bruise
on my rib-cage
barely able to move

I put on the mask
and never told.

Now
I’m damaged goods.
Nobody will want me
and I don’t want anybody.
I don’t want to be loved
I don’t want to be in love
All because of you.