“i’ve made so many mistakes in my life,
they have their own weight classes
there’s times i’ve worn ‘being an asshole’ like a championship belt
but i’ve never made failed love into a public spectacle
so this is a thank you
to every woman who taught me to walk on tightropes made of tears
for every woman who cut their hands and hollowed out my capacity to love
til it was deep enough to never stop falling for the woman who became my wife
for the women who made life a knife
hungry for wrists and dear john letters
for showing better what it really means
one day, i hope she learns how to say GOODBYE from arsonists
I HOPE ALL HER MISTAKES GROW UP TO BE THE MAN SHE NEEDS
so when it’s time for her victory lap, all she’ll need to do when she sees her ex
is say thank you”
j. bradley