until i was already trapped.

a poem about love bombing and how destructive the aftermath can be.

Photo by Joshua Sukoff on Unsplash

his love bombing

didn’t feel like an attack

until i was already trapped

and being with him

emulated captivity like

a metaphorical siege

and when i raised my white flag

he called me a drag

and put his life in my hands

but

i survived him because i left

and i want you to know that

he survived my departure, too.

if i could shout one message

as my battle cry, i would say

that someone threatening

to end their lives if you leave

does not mean that

you have to stay.

☽