<p>If there were ever words more solemn, I'd say them to you.</p><p>I know you cared, though in all your jokes, you called it love.</p><p>I loved the way you love me,</p><p>I could not get enough of my laugh,</p><p>The more I took was the more you were willing to give. </p><p><br></p><p>Around you, I basked in the true glory you carried,</p><p>Your sweet nothings meant everything, </p><p>I didn't believe them but they imprinted on my heart,</p><p>Leaving bubbles as the aroma of its beat.</p><p>Your beauty -ethereal and you didn't even know it,</p><p>The words you shared, not one is lost on me.</p><p>One look, with you, the world drops away,</p><p>When I said you're beautiful, you always responded with, "Yes, you are".</p><p><br></p><p>When you needed me no more, it was lights out.</p><p>I had clouds in my eyes, very sure it rained all night.</p><p>The pressure around my heart was closing in,</p><p>There wasn't a way out to even begin the swim.</p><p><br></p><p>I know I'm all emotions and no bite,</p><p>The worst of the worlds hurt was the hate I saw in your eyes.</p><p>Say the words and let it all roll,</p><p>Say you never loved me, that it was all a trick of the light.</p><p><br></p><p>The happy drums, I still hear,</p><p>Is that a pounding or is it all in my head,</p><p>Now my air is bleak and even my shadow left,</p><p>The one person I could count on was you,</p><p>Yet, you threw my world back at me, </p><p>and in your most excellent rage, rode the sunset without as much as a goodbye.</p><p><br></p><p>I spent many days wallowing in my 'hurting pool',</p><p>No consolation could help, so I did what I could to lock you out.</p><p>Out of mind, heart, soul and love.</p><p>It worked, and I learnt to be gleeful again.</p><p><br></p><p>You should have stayed gone.</p><p>One look at you, and I was sure I'd be back where I started before, </p><p>but even I, underestimated the power of my resolve.</p><p>The firm thump of my heart was succinct affirmation. </p><p>All the butterflies you pooled had been laid to rest.</p><p><br></p><p>Oh, so you look at me with pride, </p><p>You think I am strong, loud and pretty,</p><p>You call me beautiful, as though you also poured rituals on me.</p><p>The bright lights you see doesn't have your emblem on it.</p><p>The darkness you plunged me into only showed me how much of my shine I had let you have. </p><p>So, excuse me if I don't let you share the air I breathe, go find your own.</p><p>In my benevolence, I might give what I need to you, but you'll just keep taking,</p><p>till all I have left is the fragrance of your retreating steps.</p>
... SO, YOU, CHOOSE STRENGTH EVERYDAY.
By
Chidera Odom