good-bye

i wrote a dear john letter today
the words flowed easily
and i said i was through with him
still my heart won't let go

he said i'd regret it someday
but i feel no remorse for
shielding my heart from his
jagged words that wound me

i said goodbye,
now why don't you
go on and leave my heart

i don't need
the self-contempt
you breed in me
good-bye

you've accused and betrayed
but in the same breath you plead
for my trust, my respect
but you threw those away yourself

i'm done living under the tyranny
of your impossible standards
i'm done hating myself
because i don't measure up