THE LESSON I once loved someone exactly how they wanted. When they stumbled, I put my body between them and the ground. When they were cold, I gave them the clothes from my own back even if I was freezing too. Broke my bones in two to build them bridges. Gave my own freedom up to release them from their cages. I thought if I gave and gave that one day they would turn round and love me back. They smiled as they left, taking all of my love with them, leaving a hole in my chest so large nothing can fill it, saying, ‘Silly girl. That isn’t what love is about.’
