good-bye

I find
that behind all the tears
I've cried
I really am fine
without you.
No longer will I waste
my time and energy
forcing myself to believe
that by some stroke of luck
you love me.
No longer will I force myself
to smile thru the pain
because no longer
am I hurting.
I've finally gotten the
courage to say good-bye
and mean it this time.
I love you but
not enough to stay
around and remain miserable.
This time,
I'm putting me first.