my heart once unfolded
as a delicate red rose
but after him
each petal was ripped
leaving nothing but thorns
i come to you now
as a barren stem
with nothing but a promise of growth
if you promise to love me truly
my ribs will no longer be cages
but gates to a garden
with sparrows singing
and an abundance of flowers in bloom
if you promise to love me truly
i will open this garden for you