He says I'm too much, too old, too crazy and too bold - for my own good. Makes me feel like I'm not enough.

I try to be more, give more, do more. Make myself less noticeable as I silence my desires, my goals, my dreams, and the holes - inside my heart.

It must be my fault. What am I doing wrong? What do I not see? Why can't I just be - me?

What happened? This all played out so differently in my mind.

The signs were there, weren't they? How could I be so blind to the dimming of my own light in each and every fight in order to feed his need - to be right?

A memoir written in poetic verse and third collection in the Fragile Heart Series, the author shares her gradual awakening after losing herself to a long-term, toxic relationship. Through sacrifice, loss, shame and resilience, comes the ultimate realization - she is worth more - she deserves better.

From the back cover:

It was supposed to be a love story.

Maybe, it's just another tragedy.

This collection of poetry is broken into three parts. It is the continuation of one heart's journey after finding their "person", only to wake up one day and find they were actually a shell of who they once were; who they were meant to be. It is a struggle of deep passion, love and affection; sacrifice, betrayal, and a true account of how blind love can really be. A stark reminder that the only person who needs to love and accept us - is ourselves.

it was ride or die

until I was shaken

realized I was mistaken

raised my sword

to self-preservation

and told myself

I would rather die

than ride any further

on this lame ass horse