Fleeting Wor(l)ds

CARTE BLANCHE #16

I was never taught how to be loved
only how to be unloved

I was taught
I wasn’t enough
to be chosen to be heard to be loved

Love is a currency
not running in my motherland

I was taught
I wasn’t enough
to stay to try to fight

Love is a currency
not running in my fatherland

I was taught
I had to earn it
hard and cold
I had to prove it
alone and bold

So I have become the best love beggar

I was never taught how to be loved
only how to be unloved

I have survived so long without love
I have worked so hard to prove it to earn it
I am not even sure I can handle it

I cry in front of kind words
While nasty come as normal
Deserved
Gentleness is unheard of
Sweetness is foreign

I have survived so long without love
I have fought fiercely to be seen to be kin
I am not even sure I can handle it

It would make me worthy
It would put me in debt

I was never taught how to be loved
only how to be unloved
But no curse can stop me

Love is a currency not running in my country?
Thankfully
I moved abroad
I learned other languages

And I have become the best love digger

Justine T. Annezo – February, 15th 2026 – GTM+1