Love = Leave
song lyrics | dedicated to those who feel like they are always left
I've had this raggedy old elephant for a little while.
Some days it seems to be the only reason I smile,
'cause he's leaving out the driveway.
He says he's got to go his own way.
"But I love you,
and that's the reason I've gotta go."
*
So just say that you are leaving,
and go and walk on out that door.
I'll be fine, it's okay,
it was going to happen anyway.
'Cause long ago,
I replaced love with leave,
'cause they always do.
*
Suitcases and puddles by the door are a familiar scene.
I've got no tears left to cry; this is just routine.
I've seen life simplified on gravestones,
heard last goodbyes over the phone.
"I don't wanna go, I love you.
I don't seem to have a choice."
*
So just say that you are leaving,
and go and breathe your final breath.
I'll be fine, it's okay,
it was going to happen anyway.
'Cause long ago,
I replaced love with leave,
'cause they always do.
*
It's easier to build up walls
even as you tear them down.
One tender moment in the hall
is one step closer.
*
I can tell you're different,
you stick around when I don't want you.
So to you, it sounds innocent,
"I love you."
*
So just say that you are leaving,
and go and walk on out that door.
I'll be fine, it's okay,
it was going to happen anyway.
'Cause long ago,
I replaced love with leave,
'cause they always do.
*
But still I hope,
you'll be the one to
pick these broken pieces,
*
and say you'll never leave.
***
The story behind the song:
I have a friend who I look up to, partly because of her great relationship with her husband. One time she talked about how her father leaving her family when she was young sparked the idea she wasn't worthy to be loved. Losing those she loved most plus other relationships with friends, family, and later, boyfriends, only seemed to fuel the idea.
When she met her husband, she had almost given up on love. She told me she nearly ended the relationship when he said "I love you" for the first time because she thought it would hurt less when he left if she did it first.
Thankfully, he didn't allow her to, and he proved to her through his actions and his words that he wasn't going to leave.
So this song is dedicated to them and to those who feel like they aren't worthy.
You are.
***
I'm planning on singing this a cappella so you have an idea of how the song flows, but right now, my voice is screwed up, so it won't be for a little bit.
About the Creator
Alexandria Stanwyck
My inner child screams joyfully as I fall back in love with writing.
I am on social media! (Discord, Facebook, and Instagram.)ο»Ώ
instead of therapy: poetry and lyrics about struggling and healing is available on Amazon.
Keep reading
More stories from Alexandria Stanwyck and writers in Poets and other communities.
A Failed Artist, A Disillusioned Poet, An Underpaid Game Show Host
I took my son and niece to Gori, a small town in Georgia where Joseph Stalin was born. They talked me into visiting the Stalin's Museum, the largest in the post-Soviet space. I had resisted going there because I just can't stand the monster and know enough about him, or so I thought.
By Lana V Lynx6 days ago in FYI
Comments (4)
This is so deep and the inspiration behind it was so relatable. Your words are powerful in that it conveys the reality of how we try to avoid getting hurt by lowering our expectations, saying that love = hate was a clever way of saying a lot in a little. You started with raggedy elephant and that itβs the only reason you smile, subtly saying relying on your own outcome makes you happy for the day the real one comes. Wow, contrasting dying and leaving π€― the first they canβt control so itβs acceptable, but the latter, they could control and itβs unreliable. So we are back to creating reliability in ourselves. The constant shift between holding on to the self and watching and waiting for the person to leave is an outstanding way of keeping the meaning going through the song, each line brought us further realisation of the realness of this piece.
Beautiful song with a beautiful backstory! Would love to hear it performed!
ugh. Ok. Now that I am done sobbing because of feelings resonating from my past I'm fine now. Lol. The funny thing about healing is you always remember how the pain felt - and the fear of it returning it is always lurking just beneath your comfort
This was soooo relatable. People always leave and it only worsened my abandonment issues and attachment issues. I'm so grateful for your friend's husband for not leaving her. The world needs more people like him. Loved your song!