Toothache — A Poem on Self-Love

Relearning to love myself after I let him go

Photo by on

It’s been three months since
I asked him to leave me

Asked him to leave behind
All the possibilities we had dreamed

I didn’t stop loving him
Maybe that’s why his toothbrush
Is still in the holder

As I grow older
I love myself more fiercely
Because the world around me won’t

Maybe that’s why the love of lovers
Pales in comparison

Maybe the toothbrush
Is a reminder to myself-
‘Look stupid, you’re capable of being loved!’

The bed feels empty and I think
I’ll hug myself to sleep

Maybe it’s time
I got rid of the toothbrush

I thank Claire and Dave, editors at Write Under the Moon who allow space for me and my writing to bloom.