Anyway

Anyway

You sought to share your body
And instead shared your soul. Hoping to
Keep hidden those things that would
Cause you pain. You never said it,
But I felt it anyway.

Knowing only part of you could be
A part of me, I kept my heart shrouded
In chatter. Chit-chat to mask feelings buried
Deeper than I ever wanted you to find. I never told you,
But I said it anyway.

You played only the cards you deemed
Necessary for me to see. Timing each
Play and counting along the way. Holding
The aces close to your heart, you never played them,
But I saw them anyway.

You loved me in small ways. A hero
That rescued me when the time was right.
Caring for me incognito. No white horse, no
Shining armor. You never told me you were a knight.
But the dragon was slain anyway.

You come to me for what is missing.
Giving it freely and with fervor, I hold
You longer, tighter, closer. Let me give
That which heals you. You never wanted me to love you.
But, I loved you anyway.

Now, demons nip at your heels. Vermin from
The depths of hell itself. Taunting you. Calling you a fool
And leaving your heart and soul in glassy shards
Scattered about my feet. I never stepped on them,
But they cut me anyway.

I will not walk away from you. I will not
Walk toward. You must slay the demons. Cast
Out the parasitic beasts that would claim you
For their own. Cleanse your soul and find personal
Treasures within. You may not want to go forward,
But you’ll do it anyway.

Find that vast ocean. Dive into the depths
Of passion you know await you. Stay clearof the
Rocky cliffs, for surely, they will crush your bones.
Seek out the foamy kiss of the surf. Dig
Your toes into the warm, sandy shore. Soak up
The sunshine. You never asked for my soul,
But you possessed it anyway.