and here, on the bridge

where you made me think

you could love me one day

i stand alone and watch

the water levels rise

and fall and rise and

fall for you again

i don't care to know you

as the liar that you were,

but the person you let me

believe you could be.

i think it's easier that way.

and i peel off the old shell

that once held my heart

and i throw it into the river

along with your stains

and scraps of old flannel

molted, like skin of a snake.

and i hope the next one

knows better than i did

but know that she won't.

she won't.

and you will do this again

under different nomenclature

in different states of being

but this time, i won't watch you

or be here to come back to,

i'll be caring for myself

the way you said you would.