I wrote this poem in August of 2022.

I made promises to myself after your departure-
I promise to be completely myself for next love candidate-
No matter how crazy that may look like-
I promise to show him my prose and poetry-
even if it opens a door to hurtful truths
he deserves to know my past if he wants to be part of my present
and form a part of my future-
I promise to not place him on a pedestal
Iβll look for his humanity, truth, and accept him for who he is
and no matter how much I love him-
I wonβt accommodate to him or compromise my integrity
Heβll have to learn to live with and love the strong woman I am today



















