Living in their lie

i’ve heard it time and time again

someone will avoid conflict

because they don’t want to hurt the other person

but then what happens?

they silently retreat

they bottle up their feelings

until one day

it bursts

and oh what pain is unleashed then

unexpected

and truthfully, a betrayal

for the other person had been living in their lie

and questions what else is made of illusion

my friend, when will you see

that conflict is healthy

that it can be done in pursuit of connection

not distance

that it’s courageous

not dangerous

and only in the vulnerable borders of truth

can you ever be free