You’re a pretty girl with pretty dreams,
surrounded by others filled with the same.
You’re better because of the friends
who loved you through the hardest nights
who love you now in your brightest light.

Don’t take aim at other women
that he drained, just like you.
Don’t sweep your glitter into the trash for him.
Don’t deaden your voice in any room with him.
He claims he’s seen this whole strange world,
but he’ll never know the universe you built within.

Smile ferociously
with your widest, toothiest grin.
Spit out the poison he left on your tongue:
Promise yourself, never again.

I’m telling you now
what I wish I knew then,
don’t shrink yourself to comfort
mediocre men.