Endgame – 2025

Deep down I knew you did not care.
I lied, I hoped, I bargained, I persisted.
And so, I got caught deep in the snare,
The cords around me tightly twisted.

I explained away the wounding words,
Just anxiety, circumstance, clumsiness.
Meant for each other, a pair of nerds…
I would not believe you thought of me less.

I was a toy first, but a nuisance next.
You dismantled my self-worth,
Slinging derision by trebuchet-text.
But now I say, after a long and difficult birth:
​
I quit this game.