You must draw a line somewhere,
mark the spot of no return –
if someone crosses your boundary
you have to be able to say:

“Look, I showed you.
I told you what would happen
if you didn’t start respecting me.”

It’s your job to decide
what you will and will not
tolerate, even from the people
you have always loved the most.

When you’re broken and
still breaking, go to the ocean.

Remember that salt water
is the cure for everything.

Take off your shoes and socks
and wiggle your toes in the sand
before you start walking.

Go to where the waves break
hard against the shore –
you will be familiar with this dance –
one step forward, two steps back –
heart beating hard
trying to avoid breaking.

Remember how he loved you but
remember how he hurt you, too.

Feel the warmth and breadth
of the love you were looking for.

Feel the searing burn of betrayal,
the sting of old wounds that
keep reopening and won’t heal.

Consider the weight of the doubt
and fear that have been
breeding inside your chest,
crushing your fragile heart.

Finally, make the decision
that you don’t want to
feel like this anymore.

Now, bend down and touch the sand.

Use the finger that once
traced the edges of all his scars
to draw a heart in the sand
and call it your love.

Decide whether you want
to stay and watch the water
wash your heart away.

Choose to not.

Turn your back to the past,
and run.

Inspired by the Writer’s Write October prompts | Photo by Engin Akyurt