5 Steps To Make Things Easy

Because I’m nothing if not helpful.

Life’s quite the mess when you love in colors,
but the people you love only see greyscale.
It’s a hassle,
to pour tea for someone
who never stays long enough for the steam to fade.
To be the friend whose story everyone skims,
but quotes from anyway.
And even that, they misremember.

But I’m kind. And genuine.
Helpful even.
Supportive.
So let me help you with something.

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Step 1
Pick someone.
Someone newer.
Not better.
Let’s not get delusional here. That would be just ridiculous.
Pick someone to be a version of comfort.
Someone who doesn’t know your shadows.
That will feel safer.

Step 2
Say I was too much.
Or not enough.
Or both,
depending on the day.
Say I meant well.
Say it with a sigh.

Step 3
Talk about growth.
About how some things don’t serve you anymore.
How your values changed.
Your wishes and goals.
The image you like to portray.
That’s fine.

Step 4
Say your tastes changed.
Like I was a soda you once loved
until they messed with the recipe.
Or maybe it was me who changed.
Maybe my sweetness became sharp.
Maybe real got too bitter.

Step 5
Forget I ever made space for you.
Forget how I heard what you never said out loud.
Forget how I held your chaos like it was mine.
Replace me with someone who never saw you that way;
pick someone who doesn’t look too closely.
You’ll like that.

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It’s a downgrade—
on the house, of course.
It comes with well wishes, too,
I’m not a monster, after all.

I hope they give you exactly what you said you wanted—
and none of what you actually needed.

I hope they give you beauty instead of backbone,

I hope they wrap you in silk when you need armor—
then blame you for the bruises.

I hope they bring you flowers when you're starving—
crown you in gold and let you drown in it.

And when you come looking for me again,
I hope you see me everywhere and find me nowhere.

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