A List of Loves Who Didn’t Love Me Back

I. You are my first. First love, first partner, first loss. I fell in love with you the April of seventh grade. You have taught me that young love is real. You introduced me to the poetry of heartbreak.

II. You are my first girl. The first girl I loved. The first girl who cheated on me. I fell in love with you before I found out that you were my best friend’s girlfriend. You have taught me that I belong to everyone. You introduced me to the poetry of ownership.

III. You are the first to date me for more than two months. You are the first to tell me that you love me. You are the first to lie. You have taught me that love is a lie. You have taught me that I’m worth it. You introduced me to the poetry of deceit.

IV. You are the first to hurt me. You take what you want from me, no matter what I say. You have taught me that love is not real. You have taught me that I don’t deserve more than abuse. You introduced me to the poetry of hurt.

V. You are the first to be real. You never kiss me or say that you want me. You have taught me that all of the other loves didn’t matter. You are the first one to teach me that love isn’t just for romantic partners. You introduced me to the poetry of friendship.

VI. You are my last. You are the one that made all of the other loves unimportant. You are the one who couldn’t love me back. You are the one who couldn’t commit; the one who was too scared to love the girl with 10 scars for each lost love.

You have taught me the importance of life.