FOR WOMEN WHO ARE DIFFICULT TO LOVE Poet Warsan Shire

Warsan Shire

you are a horse running alone
and he tries to tame you
compares you
to an impossible highway
to a burning house

says you are blinding him
that he could never leave you
forget you
want anything but 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 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 didn't you?


closed your mouth more
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 let him leave

you are

terrifying

and strange

and beautiful

something not everyone knows how to love.


by WARSAN SHIRE