To Partner #2, not worthy of a name

i overheard you in the gallery
disparaging my work

you said the colours of my pallet
all have a shipwrecked hue

unfair
unjustified
untrue

come,
say it to my face

i was scuppered by you
you, my treacherous mate
who swore such loyalty
liar
turn-coat
coward
curr

I thought I had forgiven you
my mistake
i hate you in my sleep

I see you very clearly now
but i can still paint clouds
that let the sun break through

Undefeated

All windows locked, no door, no sanctuary,
no hopes, no kindness, all dreams your nightmares
in this world, of your creation, only you
spreading your despair

Locking loveliness away with bitter hate,
dread fate, you hover over me, a demon.
Is this the best that you can find to hurt me?
I have my own mask

Masked and silent, with my stomach clenched in fear
I fly a million miles away, never near.
You shut me in a darkened room, I vanish
I wear my own wings

You cannot reach inside my mind, never will.
There is a light you can’t extinguish. It burns,
buried under night, it glimmers softly still.
I have my own light

You mistook me long for one who cannot see.
I know you, I see you struggling in your hell.
I cannot help you, break the spell or reach you.
I can’t set you free

I will go from here one day. I’ll forget you.
You’ll remember how I tried to bring you light.
No doubt you’ll see that as a greater torment.
I won’t be haunted

When I escape, the sun will shine the brighter
in a world that’s new to me, reborn from dark,
clearer, stronger, its definitions sharper.
This is not defeat.