After A While

after a while you either
learn
or
you do not
the difference between
pity and empathy
hard and strong
love and
temporary madness
after awhile,
you learn

to hear the truth when he
mumbles or pants, 'baby, its you'
he wants all of you
after awhile
you learn what to do

after a while you stop wasting your time
and you stop taking shit
and you're doing just fine

and after a while
for all that you learn
you are back where you started
minus the burn


-J