Unreal Love

love is like leprosy
infecting me
tearing at my limbs

because of him
bacteria
feeling inferior

ousted by the plague

love

or none at all
appalled
by your voice

damned by my choice
choosing you
to my love you couldn't be true

still loved you

now crippled

by fear, the doubt
of never being healed

cast aside, no more pride
like gravel beneath his feet
pinned down, beat

this disease maims me
body stained
even after he’s gone

the scars
remained 

©Tia L. Clarke 2015
(amended from 2012)