Those Shouldn't Matter Anymore — Summary

The goals and plans we made? When we were together? Those shouldn't matter anymore.

The promises we made? Only to break them? Those shouldn't matter anymore.

The compliments we gave each other? Only to find out our true selves? Those shouldn't matter anymore.

Even though we're now mean to each other, We now have our own separate ways. That shouldn't matter.

Yet why do I care? Why do you care? Why does it matter?

Show the whole poemHide the poem

Learn Poems app

Try the Learn Poems app

Everything from the website trainer, and more: new exercises, voice recording and sharing, reminders, quick review.

Someone is trying to talk themselves out of caring about a relationship that has ended. The speaker runs through what once held the two people together: shared goals, promises, and compliments. Each one is followed by the same flat line, "Those shouldn't matter anymore." The word "shouldn't" gives the game away. The speaker isn't saying these things no longer matter, only that they ought not to.

The poem also admits how the relationship soured. Promises were made "only to break them," and the compliments seem to have hidden people's "true selves." Now they are mean to each other and have gone separate ways.

The ending breaks the pattern. The repeated statements give way to three questions, and the speaker even wonders why the other person cares too. The mood is tired, bitter, and quietly hurt. The short, repetitive lines sound like someone rehearsing a lesson they can't make themselves believe.

Read also

More by brokenxsunx

All poems
Inspiredbrokenxsunx

Walking on a Rainy Day

I'm walking down the street Heading to a far away area Trying to relieve the pain My tears mixed with the rain
Sadbrokenxsunx

Sleep Forever

I want to stop waking up early everyday I want to sleep forever I want to forget I don't want to suffer anymore
Romanticbrokenxsunx

Didn't Expect A Thing

My eyes looked into yours. Was I accidentally falling for you? Little did I know that I was. Your dreams ran into mine.