Breaking You to Save Myself

I was drowning in my head, fighting wars I never said,

Used your heart as armor just to feel less dead.

Every time I panicked, I pushed you away,

Calling it survival while you slowly broke in pain.

I chose my scars over protecting you,

Built my peace by tearing straight through you.

I said “I’m hurting” like it justified the mess,

But my healing came at the cost of your distress.

I was selfish in the name of staying alive,

Cut you with my fear just so I could survive.

You held me together while I fell apart,

I escaped my darkness by destroying your heart.

Now I see the truth I was too weak to face,

I saved myself while I erased your safe place.

I live with the guilt every night that I breathe,

I broke something pure just to get relief.

I broke you just to save myself.

Now I’m healing alone with the damage I dealt.