the echo of empty words 

i wish you had never promised,
so i would never have to believe.
belief is a fragile thing—
easily molded,
easily shattered.

you spoke, and i listened.
not because i was naïve,
but because i wanted to believe
that words could hold weight,
that they could be more than just air
passing through the space between us.

but promises are only real
if they are meant to be kept.
and yours were not.

now, silence is my sanctuary.
not because i fear words,
but because i have learned
that trust is not given—
it is proven.