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heartburn

2 min readJan 2, 2024

a poem

i have to leave you behind to go forward.
but, now, i like you.
sometimes, i even love you.
i have grown to tolerate the aches you bring.
rolling your name on my tongue makes my teeth shake.

i have to leave you behind to go forward.
but, now, i want you.
sometimes, i even need you.
i have grown to allow the flaws you paint.
rolling your lies on my tongue makes my throat gag.

i have to leave you behind to go forward.
because i like me now.
actually, i really love me.
i have grown to appreciate the relief i bring.
spelling my name provides a drum to my shaking teeth.

i have to leave you behind to go forward.
because i want me now.
actually, i really need me.
i have grown to embrace my flawful self-portrait.
rolling my truths on my tongue make my throat belch poetry.

i want to express my heartfelt gratitude to you for taking the time to read my work. it really means the world to me. feel free to clap, comment, and/or

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zaria rashay
zaria rashay

Written by zaria rashay

the nighttime musings of a poetess. ig, x, & youtube @zariarashay

Responses (39)

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A beautiful poem. The repetition works so well and just keeps dragging you back as the story of your escape from the relationship moves forward.

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deeply moving.

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i have to leave you behind to go forward.
because i want me now.
actually, i really need me.
i have grown to embrace my flawful self-portrait.
rolling my truths on my tongue make my thr...

I agree this is lovely - please write more !! I enjoy reading your work !

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