That Girl

from my book, The Way I Felt: A Collection of Poems From My High School Years

I can say I love you, though I love someone else.

“Mr. Personality,” the man you made me dream about.

It’s not your fault—you’re not for me—

But if you cling, I’ll have no sympathy.

I don’t wanna be the girl you never get over.

Not “the one who got away,” I am no four-leaf clover.

But I won’t be the one who makes you want to forget the past,

The one your future girlfriends want to attack.

I’d prefer the in-between, gone but not hated:

The one you fondly miss and smile, the one you’re glad to have dated.

Most likely, I’ll be a sore spot, salt in the open wound.

The pain in your chest, the better left unsaid and gone all too soon.

Please don’t hate me. I didn’t mean to fall out of love.

Let me go; pray I don’t return, like the white dove.

I’m sorry there’s nothing left to say.

You’ll hopefully read this one day.