he will claw after you

1. save every cent that comes into your hands

2. construct walls outside your ears

3. so his shouting doesn’t penetrate too deep

4. don’t believe him

• when he says you aren’t capable
• when he says you’ll surely fail
• when he says you owe him everything
• You don’t.

5. take a job. take another job.

6. buy a new phone on your own plan so he can’t track you

7. Leave him.

8. build a new foundation around your heart

9. and ignore his texts

10. when he begs you to come back

11. remember how you slaved away to make him happy

• and how he never, ever was.

12. Go to therapy.

• that wasn’t poetic
• but really, as soon as you can afford it, go to therapy
• a soul educated in the ways of the mind
• can help untangle your hurts
• far better than you can alone

13. don’t look back at him

14. beware of the lies told by photos, moments rent from memory

15. find a better job

16. don’t be just a number

• build your own home. your sanctuary.

17. And never, ever, go back.