To My Ex

Once upon a time

I wore my heart upon my sleeve,

you came along and ripped it away from me.

I believed everyone was good,

oh how you proved to me I misunderstood.

I had to say good-bye to myself

and do as you command me to.

You stripped me of my integrity

and gave me discourage and dishonesty.

I believed you were the best I could do

How wrong I was to think it was you.

I gave myself to you freely and completely

you trampled me to the ground,

laughing your bitter sound.

If this is what you thought of me,

why didn’t you just leave me be?

I call you the sperm donor of my daughters now

They gave me love and renewed my faith.

Because of them I would not let you be grim.

I stood up and looked you in the eyes

and told you how I am not satisfied.

I took my girls and left on a cold winter’s day.

As the distance between us got further,

my heart began to heal.

I am cautious now because of you.

I do not wear my heart upon my sleeve,

but occasionally I do bear it for a few to see.

©Cherie L. Masotti 02/07/03