Poetry

Poetry Awards 2022 ~ Fifth Entry

Topic: Someone you really look up to

Poem Name: I Should Have Realized

Word Count: 345

I used to believe in you.

I put you on a pedestal.

I thought that you had done it to me too,

But it turns out that you never cared for me at all.

I found you all alone.

I pulled you back up to your feet.

I thought you were the one,

But it turns out that your heart's gentle rain was harsh sleet.

Every smile was fake,

Your promises were lies.

I chose to give, and you chose to take.

There was no warmth in your eyes.

You didn't help me fly,

You only dragged me down.

Away from my hope-filled sky,

Away from my loving town.

My goals are now just dreams.

You've made them impossible to reach.

My songs are now just screams.

You destroyed my beach.

I used to be a powerful ocean,

But you polluted me.

You were toxic and decided to never clean.

You destroyed the water and the beach, and you forced me to flee.

I have nowhere to turn.

Nothing but a topless pedestal.

I got too close to your flame, and I received a  horrible burn.

Because of you, I have nothing at all.

Nothing at all,

Except for one thing.

A lesson that I learned during my fall.

Something that only the pain you caused me could bring.

When I bring in a sheep,

I must keep the wolf at bay.

I must keep one eye open when I sleep,

And hope it stays away.

I have to hope that the sheep won't turn and bite my hand,

Or stab me in the dark.

I have to keep the pedestal close to the sand,

So that the evil flame is just a spark.

Maybe one day, it won't have to be this way.

I can just let my guard down and relax in someone's arms.

But thanks to you, it's a long way away.

You've got me scared of any future trigger to my alarms.

I used to look up to you with big, loving eyes.

Eyes full of joy, innocence, and adoration.

You were the sun, and I was the planet spinning around you through the skies.

You took that love and abused it, you turned my love into damnation.

I should have realized that when I shook your hand,

You had a knife in the one behind your back.