When I first met you
I didn’t know what we’d become
I didn’t know who I would be
I had nothing to offer
nothing
but love.

When I got to know you
I learned to like your oddities
Your freckles and your moods
I expected nothing in return
nothing
but love.

When we were involved
I was happy and content
I had everything I ever sought
at least I thought that I had everything
everything
but love?

When we broke up it knocked me down
after all I would have given you
anything I had to give
so everything i gave
everything
but love.

This poem is four verses long. Each verse describes a feeling. Each verse is also a step on a one-way path. The verses can be summarized by what was, what is, rejection and what will be.

Opening my heart is difficult enough
showing what I feel is unadorned tough
For you I do this just once more
despite the abstinence I swore.
Accept my open arms or walk away
and what you choose I will obey.

You ask, why we should work this time
and declare that our interests don’t match.
Why make it sound like the break-up is my crime?
Why does it feel like the question is a catch?
It’s obvious we’re not the same
but it’s love that makes us tame.

Rejection is what you are offering
the words you say are like a poisoned string.
You imply your feelings have gone cold
or is it something that you’re told.
It doesn’t matter anymore
you’re locked up well behind that door.

I do remember when we first kissed
now it’s a corrupting memory I dread
so when I see you I’ll pretend you don’t exist
and when I miss you I’ll pretend that you are dead
because to acknowledge that we’re just apart
will break the stitches that stop the bleeding from my heart.

The following is an interpretation of a song sung by Justin Vernon (with Bon Iver) called Flume. I feel that it is wrong to dissect a song and break it down until all the magic is gone. However what I will give is only an approximation of what the song says and means to me. A song or poem is already an interpretation of something larger, so all I can do is add bits here and there to help you understand what I see in this song. This interpretion is a poem / song itself. I recommend you listen to this amazingly beautiful song on youtube before you continue reading.

Now I have only my mother’s love left
That ought to be enough, is it?
I’m leaving my heart exposed
that’s why you can see (and understand) what I feel
(maybe not on purpose).

Only love can ever leave you completely empty
The weight of my tears keeps me from flying
what I need are perpetual roots
to ancher me, to provide shelter and warmth
in times I feel like I am drifting away.

Melancholy – looking back to old times
a picture of our whole family hanging on the wall,
me still inside my mother’s womb.
I am searching for something to hold on
but there is nothing left
at least not for me.

Only love can ever make you feel this bad
Searching for a place to rest
but afraid from being hurt again.
I’m not ready to be burned
in fear – unable to leave this safe and solitary place.

Only love can desert you like this
The weight of my tears keeps me from beeing free
what I want is something (as) static as the moon
to root me and provide shelter and warmth
in times I feel like loosing it.

Let’s clarfy a couple things
so that you know how much this stings:
Technically we were broken up at the time
so being unfaithful is not the crime.
But what is hurting really deep
you give me the feeling of being cheap.
He’s a bragger and an ass
he lacks style, he has no class.
I can cope with any of the latter
that he’s the sum of all makes nothing better.
I do not understand what you see in him
actually I think he’s dim.
How could you use him as a substitute for me
if I’m a graduate then he’s in first degree.
Do you have no self-esteem?
is that part of your self-realization dream?
I wouldn’t mind had you fucked up
with any other than that walrus pup.
You make me feel like I am trash
like some sort of diaper rash.
Why would you do that to yourself – to me?
it’s just wrong – that’s a guarantee.
I’m telling you: Don’t worry any more
You need not choose between me and that bore.
I heard it in your own voice -
you already made that choice.
Don’t be scared of loosing me again
I ain’t trap myself back in your chain.
Save your tears because they’re wasted
I’m just giving back the medicine I tasted.