I wrote this poem in November of 2022.

I’m ready to start living without demons from my past visiting me in my dreams
or showing up in my poetry
I’m ready for a new love story with someone who’s completely different
from anyone I’ve ever known
not someone who causes me physical and emotional harm
only to later one fill me with pseudo apologies and promises to change
I need someone who’ll make me laugh and understand there’s sometime conflict
and won’t judge me for my complicated and traumatic past-
someone who’ll stay through my bullshit
someone who won’t scare away easily
I’m ready for a new love story where for once I’m the heroine,
the protagonist, the main character,
and not the villain, the victim or someone’s dirty little sec