Pariah
I fell hard for a boy once
against better judgement
I trusted
and I folded myself into halves
scoring the crease each time
I would ask for something
spit back in my face
each time
Going to bed too early
Him pulling on my shirt when I said no
I suppose to the other girls
I’m a flirt
and I get the good ones
and something about me
turns them evil
Because that good guy loved me
or liked me
or wanted to kiss me
I failed the sacred grace
of giving into the blessing.
I was the soulless one
cracking sweethearts
with my mortal attention.
I was the tease,
the prude,
and the whore.
I made them crumple
like good men do
I made them shatter
like good men do
when faced with a witch like me.
Why not follow suit, girls?
When the good man won’t pick you.
I’m the one manipulating.
I’m the evil root.
I made his heart sore.
I played with his affection.
I’m sorry, boys.
I am.
It is the men,
I can’t forgive.