heartache

I will not ask you to stay 

If you must go, go
I don’t need you
I will breathe (carefully) without you
I will smile (slowly) without you
I will go on (eventually) without you 

I’d be much happier
If you chose to not leave,
But if you must let go, let go
And I will too 

And hopefully one day
I will teach my heart to not break
Whenever everyday thoughts
Lead to you 

I’m afraid I’m much too weak,
I’m afraid we’ll always be
A book with the end pages ripped out,
I’m afraid I’ll always wonder,
Always ache,
Always place everyone second to you 

I’m afraid I’ll always love you 

But I will not ask you to stay.

— Madisen Kuhn, “Does Time Truly Heal All Wounds?