What Love Wasn't

I learned to smile between the lines. To say, "I'm fine," when

I was breaking inside. You said it wasn't what you meant

and I believed you every time. I wore forgiveness like perfume just to cover

up the truth. Didn't know the sound of peace until I lived without you.

And I thought love was walking on eggshells. Measuring my tone, holding my breath.

Now, I see I was loving a ghost that only showed

up to forget. All these scars you never saw, I hid them under pretty clothes.

Every word, every silence cut deeper than the blows. I was too