Thank you for showing me
it’s not so bad to live alone,
that nurturing independence
is better than being betrayed,
that there are many wounded
souls out there who can’t
be trusted.

And thank you for letting
me know I don’t need
anyone to complete me,
I’m quite enough.
And truly thank you for telling
me about separating strawberries
with a paper towel.
They last longer that way.

And most of all, thank you for proving
I, time after time, can drive by your street
and never, ever pull in.