prompt: the most expensive person you’ve ever loved

sixteen years of ticking clocks,

fifteen bottles of tears,

fourteen weeks of meals unearned,

thirteen shattered mirrors.

twelve ribs bruised and purpled,

eleven careless wishes,

ten fingers soft in signing,

nine years of burnt bridges.

eight summers growing up,

seven hearts that strayed,

six years old and silenced,

five pills every day.

four seasons spinning onwards,

three words I never said,

two more years of mistrust,

one protest to the dead.

all the costs stack up

I don’t know why I try

self-love is impossible,

but if you ask, I’m doing fine.