Whispers quietly to Self, "You deserve all the sweetest things, the tenderness you give everyone else, the melodies, and the soft tones. You deserve the gentle caress of patience and the calm retreat of mutual compassion. Love, this is what you’ve waited for. You deserve this."

I saw you the other day, but my body barely noticed. No butterflies fluttering. No heart pounding out of my chest. My breath remained steady, and my pits were dry. I wasn’t excited for the sound of your voice. I didn’t look for the left side of your lip to curl when you smiled. Your scent didn’t summon me across the room. Our eyes never locked or even crossed paths. I just saw you. And, me and my body barely noticed.

I take solace now Because we are together In another time.

Knowing this will stop hurting is the greatest gift you ever gave me.

I’m actually so happy you left.

today, i missed you. and, then, a few moments later, i remembered you.

they never tell you that heartache aches like this. they never say that heartbreak feels like an open wound. no one says that the emptiness of grief fills you all the way up. they don’t tell you that you’ll feel the hurt in your throat, on top of the words. they don’t warn you about the violence in your stillness, surfacing memories that are dust now. they don’t say you’ll grow deeper depths in pain

what if i just miss you. because i’m still madly, and deeply, in love with you? and, what if i know loving you was never enough to keep you here on the earth, tethered to the ground? what if i knew your heart was too broken to ever fully be…

the first time we went to an ice cream shop, we were on a date. you wanted me to taste your favorite ice cream in New Jersey. the lady next to us kept talking, and you awkwardly entertained her, while i giggled. the second time we went to an ice…