Poems I Don't Know How To Write

A few months ago, my long-term relationship came to an end. The abrupt death of the six-year relationship left me with emotional whiplash, and I was left with unclaimed feelings that poured out of my body into poems—a writing medium I always thought was reserved for those much smarter than I am. I still believe that, but I’ve written a few poems nonetheless.

I’ve spent weeks examining these poems, asking myself: Who do I think I am to write poetry? Who can give me permission to be a poet? How do I get that license? After weeks of questioning, I realized I’m not a poet—poems just happened to me by accident. I don’t know how to write poetry, but I believe someone might connect with my imperfect poems. Ultimately, what unites us as human beings is the shared relatability of feelings.

I wrote this first poem when the pain of the breakup was still raw and uncovered. I hope you enjoy it—though I hope you don’t relate to it.