failure

the words you said to me

have driven me on.

yet every accomplishment is met

with your gaze,

and that phrase i've grown to hate.

"i tried, but you were the one who failed."

what are you trying to do?

what do i have to do to succeed?

what do i have to do to gain your respect,

since you've always had mine?

you say you tried,

yet i'm the one always trying.

you say i failed,

yet you're the one always failing me.

what should i do?

should i run away from you

and seize my success?

is that wrong?

should i keep on trying to save you,

listening to those words.

"i tried, but you were the one who failed."

what have you tried?

you always try insults,

slander carried around in the pocket of your jeans

but you've never tried kindness

yet i have tried everything

to get you to stay.

to get you to see me as

an equal.

don't tell me you tried,

don't tell me i failed,

and the next time i hear that phrase,

i'll look you in the eyes

and say

"i tried, but you were the one who failed."