For Your Soul

 

I do these things,

Not for myself,

But because I feel it may

Be best for you.

I lock myself inside my head,

Drown myself in my own misery,

Just so that you don’t get hurt.

I fight with myself,

Beat myself up over small things,

Because I know it had upset you,

And I don’t want us to argue over it.

So please understand,

That if I die tonight,

I did it so you wouldn’t hurt anymore,

Did it so you wouldn’t be so sad,

Did it so you wouldn’t hate me anymore,

So that you could be free of my irritations,

Free of the aggravation that is me.

I did it so you could be happy,

Did it so you could be free,

Did it so you could smile more,

So that you wouldn’t feel bogged down,

Feel so constrained…

I did it all for you, my love,

Did it for your soul…

 

Copyright©JosieWentzel08July2009

Reviews

[Michael N.]

I thought this poem was a great example of how poetry can be dark but still deeply profound. You were able to keep the words casual yet still elegant as they convey their message to the reader. It forced the reader to contemplate their own mortality, and how valuable it really is, while also making them wonder if it was worth giving up for another person. Though it was dark it still did what other poems have trouble doing, which is maintaining civility and eloquence. It was morbidly delightful and I'm glad that I read it!