Rooted Betrayal Poem by Amanda Shelton

Did you know that
the touch of your hand
moved me?

We shared a breath
and a root grew between us,
it hydrated and fed our relationship.

Our bond was supposed to strengthen
but you tugged on its weakness
until it broke.

You played me a fool,
a full deck of wild cards
no joker's but you because you
scammed the table.

A fool I was, a drowning victim,
a mockery for your entertainment.

I fell hard over your hills,
under the Sea into your blue tides
of loneliness and depression.

I saw the storm in your eyes,
blue silvery sky's turning gray.

Seven years you took me for a ride,
with your lies and constant shoveling
of accusations and narcissistic nagging.

Never happy, complained but never
worked on changing it.

You became maddening and insane.

Dragging me under, like a piece of driftwood unwanted and beaten by
your weathering abuse.

Now that I am free, I am working
on my boat and cutting the dead roots
you left behind.

This is what a shameful pile of bones
looks like.

He built a pile of ashes and
allowed overgrown weeds to
choke our relationship.

It lays dead amongst the autumn leaves.