A promise

A promise
Is an oath
Is a vow
Is a solemn swearing
That you will do what it takes
To the end of it all

A promise
Is something I take seriously
That I make rarely
That I fulfill always

A promise is a gift
Without wrapping or bows
It is an opening of yourself
To the cost and debt of failure
Exposing your potential for weakness
To someone who shouldn't have to bear it
And you will not make them

A promise is a weight
Taken from me
By you
And I can't let it go
It's been dropped on soft tissue too many times
I will show you the scars if you ask

A promise should be kept
Locked inside your lungs
Dammed from slipping over your tongue
Through your teeth
I don't need another Trojan horse