To the One Who Stayed (A Letter To Myself)

You stood there with a shattered heart Still held it out like a work of art You forgave when the pain was loud You chose him, chose love, chose the vow Believed each word when he came back Held on tight through every crack Not blind—no, you saw it clear Still dared to dream, still drew him near But I see you now, and I feel the weight Of all you gave and what he betrayed You were the fire that lit that home But you burned alone, you burned alone You were brave in all the ache And that, my love, they can’t take He left you holding what he broke And wore silence like a cruel joke You bore it twice, the loss, the sting Still carried him through everything You weren’t the one who walked away You fought for love and chose to stay And now I’m here, and I can say You did enough—you made the way But I see you now, and I feel the weight Of all you gave and what he betrayed You were the fire that lit that home But you burned alone, you burned alone You were brave in all the ache And that, my love, they can’t take Forgive yourself for staying too long— You didn’t know then what you know now. Forgive the hope you held so tight— It speaks to the kindness in your heart. Forgive the weight you carried alone— His and yours, because no one else would. So I release you from the blame You held the line through all the flame It wasn’t you who turned away It wasn’t you who chose to stray I see you now, and I feel the grace Of the strength it took to hold that place You were the fire that lit that home And even alone, you still shone You were brave in all the ache And that, my love, they can’t take