Bitter Earth

I was always the kind of person
to give people
second
third
and fourth chances.
I suppose it stemmed
from the idea
that this world
is cruel enough already,
so why become just another
broken soul
incapable of seeing
the amount of pain
it inflicts on others?
But somewhere along the way
my heart changed.
I grew more guarded
and the love I once gave away
so freely
became a finite source.
I grew distant
from people that called me their friend
because I could not trust them
with my heart.
I had been hurt
so many times,
that I now no longer care
about finding someone
to share my life with.
Maybe I let my pain
twist me into one of them.
Just another broken soul
afraid of giving love
and not receiving any
in return.

~LT