Loving someone who doesn't love themself
is a constant reminder
that bliss and pain are one and the same.

Constant changing
of winds and minds and ideas.
Worry
nesting in my bones and thinning my thighs.
Love
blowing through our open mouths and burrowing
deep deep into my soul.
Hurt
in the most raw form
when your mind is cloudy and I care too much.
The end is so worth it
but the journey might eat me alive.

There are bruises on the insides of my thighs from your hip bones
and bruises on my lips from your teeth.
There is a bruise on my chin from bumping heads while we slept
and a bruise on my heart from the words that fell out of your mouth.

These bruises are reminders
That *** is clumsy
Kissing is sometimes better when you're smiling
Sleeping together is messy and beautiful
And words leave marks that will never fade.

Bruises in a positive light; what a concept.

Don't let me fall for you;
I will kiss every inch of your face until you can't breathe from laughter.
I will wash your body in the shower and kiss all the parts you don't like.
I will write you thick letters and leave you silly notes in unexpected places.
I will paint for you and do anything that will make you smile.
I will let you take your anger out on me
again and again and again
then accept your sorry *** back with arms wide open.
I will drive the two hours home to stay the night with you in the hospital,
I will stay up all night and sing to you
and touch my lips to your forehead with the softest breath.
I will lay awake fretting over whether your threat was empty or if I'm going to get an earth-shattering call in the morning.
I will tell you again and again how beautiful I find you and how special you are in this universe.
I will hold you close and memorize the sound of your heartbeat.
I will write poems about the unique shade of your eyes and the intoxicating way smoke rolls out from between your lips.
Don't let me fall for you;
I will love you until my last breath.

How ******* dare you
downgrade something so lovely;
can't you see your worth?

Dim light, green-eyed warmth,
souls twining through open lips;
I feel so complete.

Time and talk will heal
the hole that's been punched between
your heart and my own.