The next person who loves me
won't meet
the version of me
that loved you.
They'll meet someone quieter.
Someone more careful.
Someone who still wants love
but is afraid of it too.
They'll meet someone
who double-checks promises,
who gets nervous
when things feel too good.
Because you taught me
that people can leave
even when they say they won't.
And maybe that's unfair
to the next person.
But I hope
they're patient enough
to understand
why my heart
learned to protect itself.