You understand that I had to leave, walk away.
Strip myself of your unclaimed responsibility,
your constitution, and your self-prosecutions.

Isolate myself from waiting, from giving, from needing,
from unrealistic expectations.

You understand I gave ever piece of me to you.
Parts of me I didn't know I could even give.
Some of these pieces, I'll never get back.
Now they're just like you; a memory, a once upon a time, a what was.

You understand that I am out of pieces.
Left with broken parts, jagged edges, and empty spaces.

You understand that some things aren't meant for forever,
no matter what the song says.

You understand that I don't want to,
but I have to walk away.

- R. Short