Why I Love You (A Free Verse Poem)

I loved when it was never returned.

I loved when tears ran down my cheeks, leaving a stinging feeling comparable to a fresh sunburn.

I loved when I knew I never had a chance, and I loved when the only affection I ever got came from just your pants.

~

I hated how the wet dreams of you and I eventually ran dry.

I hated how the only way for me to cope was to get high on hopes of you someday wanting me.

I hated seeing you with another being that wasn’t me and I hated how I could never hate you eternally.

~

I could hate the false hope,

I could hate the droughtful dreams,

And I could hate that all I did was let myself drown in a pool of envy and hurt.

But I could never hate you, no! Not even after all you put me through.

Yes, the kid who played me till I was broken and bruised and threw me out when I was no longer good for use.

Yes, the unseen chains setting me free in mind, body, and soul. All sent a flight to rediscover a new and remodeled me.

For how could I hate what has set me free?