Eight Years

My longest relationship was eight years. That was

Seven years too long. Too long thinking I would

Never be able to date someone else, because

No one knew me like he did. Too long

Longing for others and living with that silent guilt.

Guilt adding another link to the

Chain he already was. It clanked behind me as I

Walked, shackled me to his bed, rubbed my

Wrists and ankles raw with his complacency-named-

Love.

I was a kid and didn’t know who I was without the

Weight of him, thought I could live with the act of

Daily dragging that chain, feeling it

Clamp against my neck like his hands sometimes—

Too often—did. Eight years to realize that there was

Life outside of bondage. Eight years to finally

Unlock the chain and walk lightly.

#poetry #freeverse