New Names For Old Heartaches

How many years have I carried

my heart like a coin purse?

Handed it out like loose change?

Heart in a sandwich bag--

School science project--

how many licks to the center of a tragic backstory?

I didn't wallow in it;

I made friends with the lonely.

I walked it out to the water.

I held it's hand when it tried to drown me.

I painted on the bravest face I know.

I survived heartache by the handful--

so, no. Hard as you tried to hurt me.

you're not special.

you're the flavor of the week and trust me-- I've had better.

This isn't a poem.

This is digging you out of my bones with a carving knife.

I don't know much about love, but it's not supposed to hurt.

It's not supposed to hurt.