
Hannah Flowers
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.