Untruth

"I wanted love my whole life… now I don't," she spoke loudly

to no one I could see as she walked into the alley

with her garbage to empty into the dumpster

on that frozen morning.

Lead in my veins

those words

my heart dead in its tracks

walking down the sidewalk across the street.

From the alley of love unwanted.

Could it be? Did I hear correctly?

What hopelessness.

What anguish.

What pain.

What else?

If not love?

What?! and Why?!

What is it you must want?!

I thought desperately

What hell has life been for you that you could say such words,

so freely,

would feel such pain,

so visibly.

Soul shattered for her, for me

this woman I don't know and will likely never again see 

wouldn't recognize if I did,

for anyone

everyone

who might feel the same.

Broken.

Devastated.

Unbelieving.

Her worth

In her eyes or mine

Untruth and lies

swallowed down like honey in tea

completely mistaken

killing her from the inside

Who said she was undeserving!?!