Why does it surprise you
that Joy treats you
like a one-night stand
when you wear all the pain from your past
like a noose?

She has nothing to commit to
except your daily affair
with abuse.
She has nothing to touch
except your self-inflicted wounds.

She glides in and out of your inner rooms,
giving you space, waiting for you to cry.
She is light, but she wants more out of life
than nursing internal bruises
and decapitating demons
that you
just. won’t. let. 
die.

Cover Photo by Christopher Burns on Unsplash