Only you know
the exact
line
for sure.
Only you know
the moment
he crosses it
tentatively
and
blatantly.
But that line
is a mile back
for everyone else
for everyone who sees
how he treats you.
Liking you
and being
intermittently
nice to you
doesn’t justify
lessening you.
Despite your deflection
you know
you are worth
more than that
even if
you won’t admit it
or don’t fully believe it.
No one
deserves that.
No one
should ever endure that.
I’ve seen
how it plays out
and I don’t wish
any of it on you
or any future kids
you may have someday –
with or without him.
Those kids
never get to be kids.
They learn
so quickly
to be vicious fighters
because they have to be
or hopeless victims
because that’s what they know.
None of us
can sit back
and watch you
toss your life aside
when we can see something
so much better out there
for you.
If you would only
step back
far enough
away from him,
you could see it too.