Not Even a Goodbye

Posted bySage PantonyPosted inPoetryTags:, , , , , , , , , , ,
Photo of concrete stairs with melting snow on them leading down to a metal door with a small vertical window in it, which has a red light on above it and a window with a white frame to its right. The window and door are set into a brick building with grey bricks at the bottom and red bricks above. The door, window, and bricks are also covered in graffiti and tags. Additionally, there are two black handrails on either side of the stairs.

No one owes you anything,
Yet you can’t help that feeling
Of resentment from bubbling up
As you watch & witness
Someone’s interest in you
Gradually begin to wane.
It happens to all of us.
It’s happened to me this way and the other,
But it still hurts to see, to feel,
Someone slowly slip away,
Stop messaging back,
Cancel your dates,
Become too busy,
Too busy for you anyway.
And all you can do
As you’re sitting there,
Observing and aching,
Is gracefully accept what is happening.
Any other reaction could be humiliating.
Any other reaction could be turned back on you.
Any other reaction could impede upon their boundaries,
And you must respect their boundaries.
You must respect how they feel.
You must respect that they no longer want you.
You must remember that no one,
No one ever,
No one ever owes you anything.

Not even a goodbye?

Published by Sage Pantony

Sage Pantony is a writer, poet, and zinester. They have been making zines since 2019 that have been featured in stores, libraries, and fairs across North America. Sage’s work covers topics like education, activism, gender, sexuality, mental health, trauma, and creativity. They currently reside in Tiohtià:ke/Montréal with their partner and cat. You can check out their zines at www.sagepantony.com or follow them on Bluesky or Tumblr @sage-pantony.

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