I Knew My Mistakes – Kristiana Reed

I knew my mistakes when they were emblazoned

across my chest, a red poker hot dress

you bought for me when I forgot your tea

or to arrange the flowers perfectly.

 

I knew my mistakes when both hello

and goodbye were pursed lips,

a cold shoulder in the sheets,

a clarion call of silence.

 

I knew my mistakes when you shared them

with our friends, your mother and mine,

a verbatim list of why you didn’t have the time

to raise me an angel following in your wake.

 

I knew my mistakes when pity

felt more like love than kissing you

goodnight, lying in wait for you to finish

me – breakfast, lunch and dinner.

 

I knew my mistakes when I said I was leaving

and opened the door for you,

letting the useless escape from my bones

to join you with your suitcase down the road.

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(Photo: Vivian Maier)

Inspired by the incredible Kindra M. Austin’s ‘I Knew My Worth‘ and Aurora Phoenix’s ‘I Knew My Place‘.

Kristiana Reed day dreams, people watches in coffee shops, teaches English and writes. She is a curator on Blood into Ink, a collective member of The Whisper and the Roar & Sudden Denouement, and blogs at My Screaming Twenties. She is 24 and is enjoying the journey which is finding her voice.