after Plath

I once placed you up inside my head.
Before we met, I knew other men,
but replaced them all with you instead.

I hung on every word you said
or had you repeat again, again.
I placed you up inside my head.

I went everywhere you led,
to vistas where I had never been,
I replaced my self with you instead.

But then I faced what lay ahead:
my brain flashed caution! slow! dead end!
I ached for space inside my head.

The trail was blazed, the markers red.
I retraced my way around the bend,
replaced your pace with mine instead.

I shut my eyes, the old world is dead.
I lift my lids right there and then:
I once placed you up inside my head,
but replaced you with us instead.