dear love,
it seems not too sudden that i am writing you this dedication
for years and years have passed and i’ve ignored my feelings for you
they blossomed and grew into beautiful lilies too late

it took time to learn to love you
every imperfection that i focused too closely on
the way your voice sounds on tape
your ****** structure
not the preferred body of a teenage dream

but wait i come bearing gifts
i have learned to love these things
stumbled upon hidden gifts under the christmas tree
my name was marked on every one
so here you go
finally here you go

17 years is a long time to wait
and so with this public declaration of love i also publicly, selfishly, apologize
love, it was never your fault that i couldn’t grasp self-care
it was the absence of acceptance
i didn’t want to cherish you
but i do

never will i look back at pictures and regret what you are
i will be proud of where you’ve come
this is so much more than being self-absorbed,
i just wish everyone could be

so love, here’s your love poem
the one you never thought you’d get or deserve
with open arms i welcome you
love, the person you’ve become