Pain vs Bitterness

I feel like you have
slowly extracted me
from the depths
of my bitterness,
like a festering splinter,
soothing the aching
as I gently heal
and become the man
I never thought I would be

I don’t want you to have
done all of that for me,
only to push me away
because you don’t
want to cause pain.

Life is pain,
and I live with it,
day by day,
I’m used to it.

Pain has made me
who I am.
It’s never stopped me
from being a friend.
As long as I don’t let it
get infected again,
I’d like to be here for you
if I can.