"Because I love you," he answers

To a question he neither acknowledged nor understood.

For he never knew that the roses that he planted in my heart

Grew thorns with every bruise that appeared on my face. 

And the thorns only grow in numbers:

For each bruise on my face; one thorn.

For each torn piece of heart; two.

For each,"Why do I stay?"; three thorns.

For each," Because I love you."; four.

Because we are taught that those four empty words mean 'love'.

Because we think that these words, beyond the circumstances, read true.

But this statement speaks beyond verbal phrases,

Beyond red roses,

Beyond any holiday that consists of cut-out paper hearts.

"Because I love you"

A phrase that shouldn't even be stated,

For actions speak louder than words.

When I ask myself,"Why do I stay," I should be the one to respond.

Not with,"Because he loves me,"

Not with talk of materialistic things,

Not with topics of monetary value.

I should be able to respond with things of a bigger meaning:

Because he can be trusted with my secrets.

Because he prides me of my accomplishments.

Because he carries sympathy for my problems.

Because he cannot live a single day

Without giving an act of love as a reminder.

He says a phrase not of four words, but three

For the other left out is not needed.

And this three word saying

Gives me a reminder both morning and night.

The consistent line of "I love you"

For it be mutual between us both.