you could

stab me

repeatedly

in the gut,

slice me open

and release all

of the butterflies

that had been fluttering

in there since the

first time I noticed 

your smile -

you could crack

my skull open

and pluck out all

of the flowers

you planted in my mind -

you could cut off

my arms and my legs

so I could never 

hold you again

or run back to you -

rip out my

still-beating heart...

 

and it would still beat for you

just as violently