With every snap of his lens, he helped her see who she was again.

Grief is a fire in my chest. Grief is a sphere-shaped sob caught in my throat. Grief is a heartbeat like a heart attack. Grief is a cinder block trapped inside my rib cage. Grief is breathless nights. Grief is a tear-streaked face. Grief is a reminder of your worst fears.

Without his clouds her stars shone a little brighter.

She couldn’t help the pull on her cheeks whenever he smiled.

When a relationship no longer serves you don’t rip it out at the roots, just let it grow in a new direction.

And maybe her heart just wasn’t meant to be kept.

She wore her scars like armour, proud of the battles she had won.

Her thoughts kept her from the world around her.

The hands of time would tight around his neck, they were telling him to settle he did; fearing he would never get what he truly wanted – her.

She was a darling until she wasn’t.