It was just another day when I chose to change,

to shed the old version of myself

and become only me.

Then I saw her.

I never imagined we'd grow so close,

but fate has a way of surprising us.

She was beautiful,

kind, radiant, sweet,

like a sunflower turning always toward light.

Her energy lifted rooms.

That was my first impression.

We became close,

as close as Mercury is to the sun:

near in distance,

yet distant in truth.

I traveled far to bridge the space

between us,

but the nearer I came,

the more I burned in her solar flares.

Each step brought silent suffering,

wrapped in mixed signals.

Confusion clouded me.

Do I stay?

Do I turn away?

My heart stumbled,

searching for a light

that once felt so warm.

I waited,

through frozen minutes,

for flares to stop,

for peace to return.

But I stared too long at the sun,

hoping it would love me back.

And now I carry the burn marks,

quiet reminders etched into my skin.

Maybe love hurts

when it isn't returned.

But still,

I loved.