Love without Shattering (Poem)

How do you love someone without shattering?
To be honest, that’s an art I haven’t quite perfected
Open, bleeding, and unprotected
I was always told that to be loved and love was to be changed
I always kept you away and out of range
I was a mirror that ended face down, and my face cracked
You still called me a piece of art, you giggled, “abstract.”
They never told me how much it would hurt
Like the last time I put on your old ratty t-shirt
You weren’t afraid of the ghost of myself that I became
Nor the silence that broke me in between my silent screams
How do you love someone without shattering?
Every stab of you breaks the armor of thick skin I built to survive
I was a glass soldier, I don’t think I was made to thrive
Someday, I’ll be able to look at you like a soldier worthy of being forgiven
There isn’t a thing I wouldn’t have given
If you ever grew angry, stabbed me in all your rage
I’d drag myself closer on the blade
Slow, steady, and gunmetal blues
You were always my choice when I had to choose
I don’t care if you split me apart
You are the only one who can soften this black heart
How do you love someone without shattering?
You were the kite that gave a glimpse of the world
I loosened my grip, my fist uncurled
You were the skyscraper that gave me the best sunset
With you around, I couldn’t have any regret
You were the thunderstorm that cooled me down
You and your dumb smile became my hometown
How do you love someone without shattering?
Well, I still haven’t perfected it
Most days end up with me wanting to quit
So my answer to your question is you don’t, you run at it full speed
Because someday you’ll meet someone with hands ready to bleed