Bewildered by the bittersweet of feelings,

Love—to some, a beautiful thing,

Some believe in its toxicity;

To me? Complex and contradictory.

I walked both shores to map the river between,

And fished out love is a pernicious honey.

Love bites, numbs, cares, and bleeds,

A bee sting wrapped in honeyed sweet.

I was once lost in its ocean,

Almost buried, it battered my emotions,

Like waves crashing against the shore,

A shattered heart, deaf to caution.

Covered in its shambles,

Depressed, hurt, and forlorn.

Though healed after the stumble,

I am still weathering the storm.

Love teaches wisdom, grants experience,

Filled with lies, deceit, and lessons that open eyes.

I learned mine, woke from being besotted,

Yet still believe it’s worth another try.

Maybe tomorrow, unknown and distant,

When my heart is ready to accommodate it.

For now, my compass points elsewhere

Tired of deception; its season is not here.