You have to stop loving me
she said
for the eightieth time.
It is too much.
It has been too long.
It’s two years since we saw each other
and
this is unhealthy.

You need a form of help
that I cannot provide.
No – won’t.
I will not provide the help you need.
I lack the will
– or inclination.

But you
are holding onto a past
that never was
what you hoped.
It is not my problem
how attached you got
to untenable goals
like me.

I do not love you
and frankly
might not have back then
when you gave me
some small reason to.

It is time you moved on
she said tiredly.
well past time, in fact.
You have to stop loving me
or else I’m calling the cops.