because
because i love you i will
let you be your own and myself mine,
rather than suffocating you-
while we may be made of the same star dust
you are a planet all your own and i am but a neighbor.
because i love you i will
nurture your growth as it occurs naturally
rather than cut away your wilderness in order to form you into someone else-
if i cannot appreciate your beauty as you are now,
then what place have i walking into your orbit?
because i love you i will
acknowledge when things may happen to be too much
rather than ignoring the alarms behind your eyes-
our trade system will be that of an equal give and take
instead of you only giving and me only taking.
because i love you i will
listen to you openly
rather than merely waiting for my turn to speak-
your words often shake the very foundation of my soul
and allow me a glimpse into your world.
because i love you
i will not whisper sweet nothings into your ear to get what i want,
i will not make a fist out of the hand that holds your heart when things don’t go my way,
i will not twist and pull at the pieces of you i have wrapped around my finger,
i will not bend and break your bones to mold you into a shape that better fits me.
because i love you i will
leave you gratified
rather than
robbing you of your
humanity.