No More Crumbs

If I cannot hold another
before I leave this mortal coil,
let them know—I have loved.

I have loved wildly,
passionately,
blindly
like a flame too close to dry paper,
scorching even my own hands
as I tried to warm others.

I gave my whole heart,
every last piece,
even when it was not asked for,
even when it was not deserved.
I poured myself empty
and called it devotion.

But one thing I never did
I never loved myself.
I never believed in my own worth
until now.

Now I see the hollows
I carved into my own chest
just to fit the shape of someone else’s needs.
Now I feel the silence
that grew where my voice should have been.

There will be no more crumbs.
No more gratitude for the lukewarm.
If you cannot meet me halfway,
stay behind.
If your hands hold only
half-promises and shadows,
do not touch me.

I know my worth now.
It beats steady in my chest,
a drum no one can silence.
I know my heart,
and it will accept nothing less
than respect.

I walk forward now,
alone but unafraid,
carrying all the love
I once gave away
back into myself.

And I burn
not to be consumed,
but to light my own way.