Ode to the Empty Vase

There’s a bruise on my arm, right above my elbow

And I feel like I’ve seen it there before.

I remember when we stood there

And you held me to you tightly

And you whispered to me softly

“don’t you fucking start to cry”

Today, it’s no coincidence when I jump at raised voices

I still flinch at quick movements, and stiffen at man’s touch.

We would always stand there

And you’d tell me you’d be better

If I’d make myself much thinner

If I would only try much harder

In my efforts to be perfect for you I only found more failure

I’ve learned how much pressure I can take before I cave

Remember when we stood there

And you held me to you closely

And you whispered to me softly

And you taught me how to cry

But to understand your demons was to let them get inside me

All the time I thought, love could put you back together

Instead I let it tear my soul apart.

And we stood there so damn often

As the people walked right by us

While you nightly tore my soul apart.