Keeping It This Way

Swan Melloh

I am not your property

I rather tell myself than you

who wears oblivion for shoes,

walks without a knowing heart.

I suppose it´s easier

to leave you there without a clue,

words unspoken in their truth,

better gone, and far apart.

Don´t you ever stop to wonder

who´s the mistress of this distance?

Call me goddess of this state,

yet, would you ever know?

We should be the ending,

not like my ancient persistence,

not of love, not out of hate,

not fading to ever grow.

This much I can answer you:

Intimacy won´t reappear.

Has it ever been of presence

while you broke my core?

Eyes will slip some knowledge,

fingertips soft, now free of fear,

claiming just my roaring essence

while denial rules no more.

More from Swan Melloh ↓

• @three.letters.poetry on Instagram and Substack
• Her poem, This is my insides, is published in the Spring/Summer 2025 issue of Kailon Magazine