for women who are “difficult” to love

you are a horse running alone

and he tries to tame you

compares you to an impossible highway

to a burning house

 

says that you are blinding him

that he could never leave you

forget you

want anything from you

 

you dizzy him

you are unbearable

every woman before or after you

is doused in your name

 

you fill his mouth

his teeth ache with memory of taste

his body is just a long shadow

seeking yours

 

but you are always too intense

frightening

in the way you want him

unashamed and sacrificial

 

he tells you that no man can live up to the one who

lives in your head

and you tried to change him

didn’t you?

 

tried to be softer

prettier

less volatile

less awake

 

but even when sleeping you could feel

him travelling away from you in his dreams

so what did you want to do, love

split his head open?

 

you can’t make homes out of human beings

someone should have already told you that

and if he wants to leave

then left him leave

 

you are terrifying

and strange

and beautiful

something not everyone knows how to love.

 

Warsan Shire