Choking Myself with Your Hands

Choking Myself with Your Hands

In a fit of self-respect

I realized how little you bring to this

And how badly I needed more

I have burned myself out over glances

And desperate wishes for approval

I wanted to be perfect for you

But perfect was never the point

And there was no set of behaviors

That would have made you keep me

I was never who you wanted to begin with

The only thing that changed

Was the role of not wanted

To wanted not

When my needs and continued presence

Required you to act to avoid

Keeping me