Silent Screams

Poem 63

She told me
"You don't love anyone."
And she was right.

I did not know how to love
You're supposed to start
By loving yourself
But I can't even do that.

I didn't understand
How love was supposed to work

Was it the kissing of a scraped knee
Or the holding of hands?
The comfort of a hug
Or a simple word?

I could not love myself.
I couldn't love others.
I hurt everyone I tried to love.

So I'll stop trying to love.
By stopping to try and live.