RELATIONSHIP Poem: The Realities of a Manic Pixie Dream Girl, by Killian Arnold

I lived my life a
MANIC PIXIE DREAM GIRL,
unconventional and giving my world to a slew of men.
Next in line!
Just the next stop on the train,
destination: anywhere but here!
They love my world- NOT my person.

They love that I’m not average,
that I’m a dropout- a bartender,
that I’m full of all this wisdom that doesn’t make much sense.
Eccentricity,
creativity,
I think differently from everyone else.
They’re never bored with me!

I inspire them to do more for their lives.
They leave this town,
yet I keep finding myself back here.
Like I’m the toll booth attendant,
showing everyone the way out,
but cursed to stay.
They soak it all in and when they get their fill,
they move on with their life-
minds broadened and memories cherished.

I never see them again,
solely on Instagram with their long-term girlfriends,
getting engaged,
having babies,
going to college and landing their dream careers.
And I’m left here in the dust,
the ashes of those memories they hold so dear
burns me to the bone.

I just want someone to stay-
to see that I’m more than my odd hobbies
and lack of traditionalism.
I’m a person,
not a dream girl.
I want to find me, too