I wanted to write you a poem
Not to tell you to take
Life one step at a time
Not to show you the extent
To which I love you
Not to tell you how
To live your life

I wanted to write you a poem
Not to hope to draw out
Some inner sadness
Not to cause a dramatic
Change in your thinking
Not to seek desperately
Your praise and love

I wanted to write you a poem
Not to make you feel
The same way for me
Not to keep you from
Being honest with me
Not to turn you away
From your current beliefs

I wanted to write you a poem
Not to show you that
My feelings for you
Mirror my former, misplaced
Emotions and actions

I wanted to write you a poem
Not to bring you to
Your knees with awe

I wanted to write you a poem
Because you're worth writing about