Societal norms craft picturesque notions Of love and a life worth living While realities wane like the tides of the ocean Hearts weaken from endless giving Marriage, family and white picket fences Illustrated with joy and contentment Being normal used as empty defenses All the while you brew with resentment The love you received heals deeply cut wounds Pain reduces beyond measure Yet it isn’t enough to be swindled or swooned Nor placated by gifts or pleasure The idea of love being a chivalrous knight Degrades all that love can be For love should not protect you from freight No, love should set you free What is the difference between compromise and sacrifice? How can you tell them apart? When you stop seeing life through your own eyes And must return back to the start So many notions advertised as healthy Begin splitting you at the seams You are loved, successful and even wealthy But not living the life of your dreams Your truth, your future, your hopes, your needs Withered away over time But when stripped to your core with no one to please You can finally live in your prime Your time has come after 13 years Nothing can stop you now And though the truth may bring you to tears The only question left is “how”